screw-pile lighthouse

English

Noun

screw-pile lighthouse (plural screw-pile lighthouses)

1. A formerly common type of lighthouse supported on a series of screw piles, typically a hexagonal building surmounted by a cupola for the light.
   • 1900, Joseph Conrad, Lord Jim, page ii. 12:

     [F]ar astern of the pilgrim ship a screw-pile lighthouse, planted by unbelievers on a treacherous shoal, seemed to wink at her its eye of flame, as if in derision of her errand of faith.