hypocaust

American  

[hahy-puh-kawst, hip-uh-] / ˈhaɪ pəˌkɔst, ˈhɪp ə- /

noun

1. a hollow space or system of channels in the floor or walls of some ancient Roman buildings that provided a central heating system by receiving and distributing the heat from a furnace.

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hypocaust British  

/ ˈhaɪpəˌkɔːst /

noun

1. an ancient Roman heating system in which hot air circulated under the floor and between double walls

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Etymology

Origin of hypocaust

1670–80; < Latin hypocaustum < Greek hypókauston room heated from below, equivalent to hypo- hypo- + kaustón, neuter of kaustós (verbal adjective) heated, burned; see caustic

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hypocaust

The Romans developed the hypocaust method of heating floors and walls thousands of years ago.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 7, 2023

In one part of the street was a subterranean arch, very strongly built; in another, what they called, I believe rightly, a Roman hypocaust.

From Life of Johnson, Volume 5 Tour to the Hebrides (1773) and Journey into North Wales (1774) by James Boswell

The great fireplaces, one for every hypocaust, built in arches under the outer walls of the villa, were approached from the outside by passages of rough masonry.

From Nicanor - Teller of Tales A Story of Roman Britain by Margaret West Kinney

It has a well-preserved hypocaust, or apparatus for warming the house by hot air.

From Highways and Byways in Cambridge and Ely by Edward Conybeare

The hypocaust, or furnace and apparatus, 25, for heating the water, are so placed that they can not be seen from the triangular court.

From Museum of Antiquity A Description of Ancient Life by T. L. (Thomas Louis) Haines

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