the lights were banked

[IQU3838]

Hi,

I don't know the underlined part in the following sentences, could anyone help me out?

Thank you in advance.

"In my house, the curtains were drawn and the lights were banked, and had been for some time. We were in mourning. My father had been dead two months."

BTW, the context was happened in 1904, St. Louis, Louisiana, USA.

Thank you very much.

[bhaisahab]

Hi,

I don't know the underlined part in the following sentences, could anyone help me out?

Thank you in advance.

"In my house, the curtains were drawn and the lights were banked, and had been for some time. We were in mourning. My father had been dead two months."

BTW, the context was happened in 1904, St. Louis, Louisiana, USA.

Thank you very much.

I've never heard of lights being banked. I imagine it means the lights were dimmed or turned down.

[BobK]

As it was in 1904 in Louisiana, the technology used for interior lighting may not have been electricity (or even gas). Without knowing more of the details, it's impossible to say. The only context I know of where banking leads to dimming is in an open fire (where 'banking' is covering with more fuel - which temporarily dims the light of the fire).

b