— hearthless , adj.
/hahrth/ , n.
1. the floor of a fireplace, usually of stone, brick, etc., often extending a short distance into a room.
2. home; fireside: the joys of family and hearth.
3. Metall.
a. the lower part of a blast furnace, cupola, etc., in which the molten metal collects and from which it is tapped out. See diag. under blast furnace .
b. the part of an open hearth, reverberatory furnace, etc., upon which the charge is placed and melted down or refined.
4. a brazier or chafing dish for burning charcoal.
[ bef. 900; ME herth ( e ), OE he ( o ) rth; c. G Herd, D haard ]
Syn. 2. household, abode, house.