They hold cold lanterns (6)
I believe the answer is:
clamps
'lanterns' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'they hold cold' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'cold' could be 'c' (eg on taps) and 'c' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'lamps' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for clamps that I've seen before include "Devices to hold things, car wheels say" , "fasteners" , "Grips" , "Device to hold things, car wheels say" , "Devices to hold things firmly, car-wheels say" .)