1. an enclosure in which energy in a nonthermal form is converted to heat, especially such an enclosure in which heat is generated by the combustion of a suitable fuel.
2. an intensely hot place: the furnace of the sun; an attic room that is a furnace in the summer.
3. A severe test or trial: endured the furnace of his friends' blame after the accident.

1. A device for heating.
2. A device that heats materials being processed in a factory.
3. A device that provides heat for a building.
4. any area that is excessively hot.
5. to heat in a furnace

1. an inclosed place in which heat is produced by the combustion of fuel, as for reducing ores or melting metals, for warming a house, for baking pottery, etc.
2. A place or time of punishment, affiction, or great trial; severe experience or discipline.
3. to throw out, or exhale, as from a furnace; also, to put into a furnace.
4.

1. to subject to the action of a furnace; figuratively, to heat as if in a furnace.
2. to throw out, as flames or dull reverberations of sound are emitted by a furnace.
3. to issue forth like flames from a furnace.
4. A structure in which to make and maintain a fire the heat of which is to be used for some mechanical purpose, as the melting of ores or metals, the production of steam as a power, the warming of apartments, the baking of pottery, etc.; specifically, a structure of considerable size built of stone or brick, and usually lined with fire-brick, used for some purpose connected with the operation of smelting metals.
5. figuratively, a place, time, or occasion of severe torture or great trial.
6. A furnace which is continually rotated or revolved to secure thorough mixture or chemical reaction under heat as respects the charge.

1. an enclosed chamber in which heat is produced to heat buildings, destroy refuse, smelt or refine ores, etc.