2. A nickname formerly given to a member of the Democratic
party. [U.S.]
Note: The name was first applied, in 1834, to a portion of
the Democratic party, because, at a meeting in Tammany
Hall, New York, in which there was great diversity of
sentiment, the chairman left his seat, and the lights
were extinguished, for the purpose of dissolving the
meeting; when those who were opposed to an adjournment
produced locofoco matches, rekindled the lights,
continued the meeting, and accomplished their object.
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of
the morning ! how art thou cut down to the ground
which didst weaken the nations ! --Is. xiv. 12.
Tertullian and Gregory the Great understood this
passage of Isaiah in reference to the fall of Satan;
in consequence of which the name Lucifer has since
been applied to, Satan. --Kitto.
How wretched Is that poor man that hangs on princes'
favors! . . . When he falls, he falls like Lucifer,
Never to hope again. --Shak.
3. A match made of a sliver of wood tipped with a combustible
substance, and ignited by friction; -- called also
{lucifer match}, and {locofoco}. See {Locofoco}.
4. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of free-swimming macruran Crustacea,
having a slender body and long appendages.