furnace

[ fur-nis ]

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.

3. Furnace, Astronomy. the constellation Fornax.

verb (used with object)

, fur·naced, fur·nac·ing.

1. to heat (a metal piece) in a 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

Derived Forms

• ˈfurnace-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• furnace·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of furnace¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of furnace¹

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

Example Sentences

Animal Furnace was not the first time Buress joked about rape.

From The Daily Beast

The high-cheekboned actor wears a leather jacket and turtleneck and slicks back his hair in Out of the Furnace.

From The Daily Beast

For example, research has shown that most carbon-monoxide alarm incidents are triggered by a malfunctioning furnace.

From The Daily Beast

The family is the great fiery furnace in which people are forged.

From The Daily Beast

Scott had recently finished shooting the drama Out of the Furnace, starring Christian Bale.

From The Daily Beast

He shall give his mind to finish the glazing, and his watching to make clean the furnace.

From Project Gutenberg

Such a furnace worked there for many years, until copper smelting was removed from Cornwall to Wales.

From Project Gutenberg

It is therefore uncertain from these statements which furnace consumes the greater quantity of air.

From Project Gutenberg

A few pails of water, put into the furnace in the morning, is sufficient for a day's work.

From Project Gutenberg

The furnace where the Khamsîn brewed in distant Nubia sent its warnings in advance; it was slowly travelling northward.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• boiler
• heater
• heating system
• incinerator
• kiln
• stove