Furnace

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Furnace

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun

Pronunciation

FUR-nis  /ˈfɜːnɪs/

Definition

An enclosed chamber in which heat is produced for the purpose of warming a building, smelting ore, or other industrial processes; any place of extreme heat.

Plain meaning

A furnace is a device that generates intense heat — for heating a building, melting metal, or industrial production. Also used figuratively for any extremely hot place.

Register

Neutral and standard in domestic and industrial contexts. Vivid and metaphorical in literary and conversational use.