noun
- metal containers holding oil or pitch that burn to provide light, typically mounted on poles or walls
Usage: historical; archaic
Examples
- The medieval castle was lit by cressets mounted along the battlements.
- Guards carried cressets to illuminate the dark corridors at night.
- The harbor entrance was marked by tall cressets burning brightly.
- Ancient cressets were filled with whale oil or pitch for fuel.
- The ceremony began when servants lit the ceremonial cressets.
- Iron cressets lined the pathway to the great hall.