A geometric characterization of Dowling lattices (Q757385)

Dowling lattices are generalizations of lattices of partial partitions where instead of classes one considers their labelings by elements of a given finite group (up to a common left multiple). They are connected geometric lattices with each element having a modular complement (and according to a theorem of Kahn and Kung in rank \(\geq 4\) the only ones besides those derived from the internal points relative to some basis of a projective space). In the paper under review, in rank \(\geq 3\) they are internally characterized as finite geometric lattices having a basis such that each point is on a coordinate line and each coordinate line as well as each line missing the base has at least 3 points. The lattices of partial partitions (which can be seen as partition lattices on a 1- element extension of the ground set) are those with at least one 3-point coordinate line.