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fettling

American  
[fet-ling] / ˈfɛt lɪŋ /

noun

Metallurgy.
  1. the material with which the hearth of a puddling furnace is lined, usually a dolomite or refractory mixture.


fettling British  
/ ˈfɛtlɪŋ /

noun

  1. Also called: fettle.  a refractory material used to line the hearth of puddling furnaces

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of fettling

First recorded in 1860–65; fettle + -ing 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Keep in mind: this was a result achieved without any fettling from the Cup series’ myriad new rules for the upcoming season, making it something for the sport’s many hardline fans to truly savor.

From Time • Feb. 22, 2016

I have heard the people here talk of "fettling" the hearth when they mean "clean up."

From Sarah's School Friend by Baldwin, May

“Eh, Tim Binder! there’ll be a rare job for thee feyther next spring, fettling up this wall, by t’ time we’ve done wi’ it.”

From We and the World, Part I A Book for Boys by Ewing, Juliana Horatia Gatty

But Friedrich calculated there would be very considerable fettling and haggling on Daun's part; say a good Fortnight of Siege allowed;—and that, by dead-lift effort of all hands, the thing was feasible within that limit.

From History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 20 by Carlyle, Thomas

He is getting his saddle altered: fettling about this and that; does not consider what danger he is in.

From History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 07 by Carlyle, Thomas