furnace

name

1. A surname, variant of Furness.

noun

Etymology: From Middle English forneys, from Old French fornais (French fournaise), from Latin fornāx.

1. An industrial heating device, such as for smelting metal or firing ceramics.

   “Plans for the next phase include furnaces capable of inert atmospheres and partial vacuums.”

2. A device that provides heat for a building.

   “HVAC services include furnace maintenance.”

3. Any area that is excessively hot.

   “The busy kitchen became a sweltering furnace.”

4. A place or time of punishment, affliction, or great trial; severe experience or discipline.

   “forged in the furnace of fierce competition”

   “For the Lorde toke you and broughte you out of the yernen fornace of Egipte, to be vnto him a people of enheritaunce, as it is come to paſſe this daye.”

verb

Etymology: From Middle English forneys, from Old French fornais (French fournaise), from Latin fornāx.

1. To heat in a furnace.
2. To exhale like a furnace.