A lens, by which the rays of the sun may be concentrated on an object, so as to burn it if combustible.
1570. Dee, Math. Pref., 35. Archimedes … with his Burning Glasses … fired their other Shippes a far off.
1598. Shaks., Merry W., I. iii. 74. The appetite of her eye did seeme to scorch me vp like a burning-glasse.
1643. Caryl, Sacr. Covt., 33. The fiery beames of Gods wrath are contracted into this burning-Glasse.
1727. Swift, Gulliver, III. i. 180. I had about me my flint, steel, match, and burning-glass.
1768. Tucker, Lt. Nat., II. 426. Not unlike the virtuoso’s scheme, who would needs try to make a burning-glass of ice.
1878. Masque Poets, 213.
| And beauty is a burning-glass that brings | |
| The soft, diffusive sunshine to a focus. |
b. A concave mirror, by the use of which the same effect may be produced.
1675. Baxter, Cath. Theol., I. III. 11. The Spirits effect on the soul to come by reflection … as Light and Heat from the Sun by a Speculum or Burning-Glass.
1751. Chambers, Cycl., s.v., The second … are concave; very improperly called burning-glasses, being usually made of metal.
1760. trans. Keysler’s Travels, I. 428. A concave burning-glass reflects and concenters the solar rays into one focus.
