n.
Pronunciation: ' härth
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English herth, from Old English heorth; akin to Old High German herd hearth, and probably to Sanskrit k ū ḍ ay ā ti he scorches
Date: before 12th century
1 a : a brick, stone, or concrete area in front of a fireplace b : the floor of a fireplace also : FIREPLACE c : the lowest section of a furnace especially : the section of a furnace on which the ore or metal is exposed to the flame or heat
2 : HOME
3 : a vital or creative center <the central hearth of occidental civilization ― A. L. Kroeber>