— furnacelike , adj.
/ferr"nis/ , n. , v. , furnaced, furnacing .
n.
1. a structure or apparatus in which heat may be generated, as for heating houses, smelting ores, or producing steam.
2. a place characterized by intense heat: The volcano was a seething furnace.
3. ( cap. ) Astron. the constellation Fornax.
v.t.
4. to heat (a metal piece) in a furnace.
[ 1175-1225; ME furneis, furnais fornais, fournais fornac- (s. of fornax kiln, oven), akin to formus warm ]