furnace
[ fur-nis ]
/ ˈfɜr nɪs /
noun
a structure or apparatus in which heat may be generated, as for heating houses, smelting ores, or producing steam.
a place characterized by intense heat: The volcano was a seething furnace.
(initial capital letter) Astronomy.
the constellation Fornax.
verb (used with object), fur·naced, fur·nac·ing.
to heat (a metal piece) in a furnace.
Origin of furnace
1175–1225; Middle English
furneis, furnais < Old French
fornais, fournais < Latin
fornāc- (stem of
fornāx kiln, oven), akin to
formus warm
OTHER WORDS FROM furnace
fur·nace·like, adjectiveWords nearby furnace
furl.,
furlong,
furlough,
furmenty,
furmint,
furnace,
furness,
furnish,
furnishing,
furnishings,
furnit.
Example sentences from the Web for furnace
British Dictionary definitions for furnace
furnace
/ (ˈfɜːnɪs) /
noun
an enclosed chamber in which heat is produced to generate steam, destroy refuse, smelt or refine ores, etc
a very hot or stifling place
Derived forms of furnace
furnace-like, adjectiveWord Origin for furnace
C13: from Old French
fornais, from Latin
fornax oven, furnace; related to Latin
formus warm