furnace

[ fur-nis ]
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noun
  1. a structure or apparatus in which heat may be generated, as for heating houses, smelting ores, or producing steam.

  2. a place characterized by intense heat: The volcano was a seething furnace.

  1. Furnace, Astronomy. the constellation Fornax.

verb (used with object),fur·naced, fur·nac·ing.
  1. to heat (a metal piece) in a furnace.

Origin of furnace

1
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English furneis, furnais, from Old French fornais, fournais, from Latin fornāc- (stem of fornāx “kiln, oven”), akin to formus “warm”

Other words from furnace

  • fur·nace·like, adjective

Words Nearby furnace

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How to use furnace in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for furnace

furnace

/ (ˈfɜːnɪs) /


noun
  1. an enclosed chamber in which heat is produced to generate steam, destroy refuse, smelt or refine ores, etc

  2. a very hot or stifling place

Origin of furnace

1
C13: from Old French fornais, from Latin fornax oven, furnace; related to Latin formus warm

Derived forms of furnace

  • furnace-like, adjective

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