Definition of furnace Furnace

/fɚˈnʌs/ - [fernus] - fur•nace

We found 14 definitions of furnace from 8 different sources.

What does furnace mean?

Noun Plural: furnaces
furnace - an enclosed chamber in which heat is produced to heat buildings, destroy refuse, smelt or refine ores, etc.
		chamber a natural or artificial enclosed space
		athanor a furnace that feeds itself so as to maintain a uniform temperature; used by alchemists
		blast furnace a furnace for smelting of iron from iron oxide ores; combustion is intensified by a blast of air
		cremation chamber, crematorium, crematory a furnace where a corpse can be burned and reduced to ashes
		cupola a roof in the form of a dome
		electric furnace any furnace in which the heat is provided by an electric current
		firebox a furnace (as on a steam locomotive) in which fuel is burned
		forge a workplace where metal is worked by heating and hammering
		gas furnace a furnace that burns gas
		grate, grating a frame of iron bars to hold a fire
		incinerator a furnace for incinerating (especially to dispose of refuse)
		kiln a furnace for firing or burning or drying such things as porcelain or bricks
		oil burner, oil furnace a furnace that burns oil
		open-hearth furnace a furnace for making steel in which the steel is placed on a shallow hearth and flames of burning gas and hot air play over it
		register a regulator (as a sliding plate) for regulating the flow of air into a furnace or other heating device
		reverberatory furnace a furnace in which the material that is being treated is heated indirectly by flames that are directed at the roof and walls of the furnace

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furnace (n.)
An inclosed place in which heat is produced by the combustion of fuel, as for reducing ores or melting metals, for warming a house, for baking pottery, etc.; as, an iron furnace; a hot-air furnace; a glass furnace; a boiler furnace, etc.
furnace (n.)
A place or time of punishment, affiction, or great trial; severe experience or discipline.
furnace (n.)
To throw out, or exhale, as from a furnace; also, to put into a furnace.

furnace
A structure or apparatus in which heat is produced by the combustion of fuel, often to warm houses, melt metals, produce steam and bake pottery.

furnace
fur′nās, n. an oven or enclosed fireplace for melting ores and other purposes: a time or place of grievous affliction or torment.—v.t. to exhale like a furnace: to subject to the heat of a furnace. [O. Fr. fornais—L. fornax—fornus, an oven.]

furnace
In mining, signifies a hollow or excavation which is made in the earth and is charged with gunpowder, for the purpose of blowing up a rock, wall, or any part of a fortification.