I.“lampadarum,” Vulg. Ezech. 1, 13), f., = λαμπάς, a light, torch, flambeau (mostly poet.; cf.: lucerna, lychnus, laterna).
I. Lit.: “lampades ardentes,” Plaut. Men. 5, 2, 86: illatae lampades, Att. ap. Cic. N. D. 3, 16, 41: “lampadas igniferas,” Lucr. 2, 25: “vidi argenteum Cupidinem cum lampade,” Cic. Verr. 2, 2, 47, § 115: “pinguis,” Ov. M. 4, 403: “pingues lampades,” Lucr. 4, 403: “ardens,” Verg. A. 9, 535: “Salmoneus, dum flammas Jovis imitatur, lampada quassans,” id. ib. 6, 587: “lampadibus densum rapuit funale coruscis,” with torches, Ov. M. 12, 247; Vulg. Exod. 20, 18: “lampas ignis,” id. Gen. 15, 17.—Used at weddings, a wedding-torch: “tene hane lampadem,” Plaut. Cas. 4, 4, 17; Ter. Ad. 5, 7, 9. —Hence, poet.: “lampade primā,” at her wedding, Stat. S. 4, 8, 59; cf. id. ib. 1, 2, 4.—
B. Esp., a lamp: “ferreae lampades,” Col. 12, 18, 5: “aënea,” Juv. 3, 285: “praecinctae lampades auro,” Ov. H. 14, 25: “accipere oleum cum lampadibus,” Vulg. Matt. 25, 4.—
II. Trop.
A. From the Grecian torch-race (which consisted in keeping the torch burning during the race and handing it, still lighted, to the next one), are borrowed the expressions: lampada tradere alicui, to give or resign one's occupation to another: “nunc cursu lampada tibi trado,” now it is your turn, Varr. R. R. 3, 16, 9: “quasi cursores, vitai lampada tradunt,” i. e. they finish their course, die, Lucr. 2, 79: “qui prior es, cur me in decursu lampada poscis?” i. e. do you wish to succeed to my estate while I am yet alive? Pers. 6, 61.—
B. In gen., splendor, brightness, lustre: “aeterna mundl,” Lucr. 5, 402; cf.: “rosea sol alte lampade lucens,” id. 5, 610: “Phoebeae lampadis instar,” the light of the sun, the sun, Verg. A. 3, 637: “postera cum primā lustrabat lampade terras Orta dies,” the first beams of light, first rays of dawn, id. ib. 7, 148.—
C. Hence, poet., like lumen, for day: “octavoque fere candenti lumine solis Aut etiam nonā reddebant lampade vitam,” on the ninth day, Lucr. 6, 1198; “so of the moonlight: decima lampas Phoebes,” Val. Fl. 7, 366; cf.: “cum se bina formavit lampade Phoebe,” i. e. after two moons, Nemes. Cyn. 130: “lampade Phoebes sub decima,” the tenth month, Val. Fl. 7, 366.—
