Dictionary

nightlighter en · NOUN

Etymology

From nightlight + -er.

Meanings

1. (empty-gloss, no-gloss, rare) (very rare)
   • The "nightlighter" now in the experimental stage, should soon be available in home lamps. This device has long been used to automatically turn on street lights when darkness falls, and to turn them off when daylight arrives. 1955, Rosenthal & Smythe (publisher), Lamp Journal, volume 38, page 17:
   • I'm getting signal, but no picture. There is a nightlighter on that might be interfering, so I'll have to wait on it. But, I'm not encouraged about VHF. 2009 June 25, robinlos, “DTV VHF”, in alt.video.digital-tv (Usenet):
   • nightlighters burst sending children delighted into beararmed mothers, awe struck, hugging husbands trembling -the wonder of job and security and choice to be here - holding on - between gravity and flight 2000 June 9, BeeVB, “sketches / c&c”, in alt.arts.poetry.comments (Usenet):
   • c. Noctiluca (nightlighter): A curious protozoid, either spherical or ovoid, about 0.5 mm (0.019185.inch) mean diameter; it is striking chiefly because of its groove but more so for its flagellum, whose movements are too slow to produce locomotion. It enjoys a very extensive geographical distribution. Its luminosity does not occur throughout the entire cell, but is produced by a large number of tiny luminous dots 1949, George Weinblum, Walter Block, “Luminous Living Organisms”, in The Navy Department, The David W. Taylor Model Basin:
   • Then of course, wildlife law officers are dedicated people I have always found, and to spot a nightlighter it involves hours and hours of sitting in the weeds, so to speak, following a marshy footpath without lights and waiting in the cold dampness there overnight until they finally are satisfied that they have sufficient evidence. 1975, Canadian Wildlife Service (contributor), Transactions, volumes 39-41, page 184:

Forms