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furnace
[ fur-nis ]
/ ˈfɜr nɪs /
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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.
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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, furnished, furnishing, furnishings
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use furnace in a sentence
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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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