hypocaust

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: hy=po=caust

CIDE DICTIONARY

hypocaust, n. [L. hypocaustum, Gr. ; under + to burn: cf. F. hypocauste.].

 A furnace, esp. one connected with a series of small chambers and flues of tiles or other masonry through which the heat of a fire was distributed to rooms above. This contrivance, first used in bath, was afterwards adopted in private houses.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

hypocaust, n. a hollow space under the floor in ancient Roman houses, into which hot air was sent for heating a room or bath.

Etymology

L hypocaustum f. Gk hupokauston place heated from below (as HYPO-, kaio, kau- burn)

ROGET THESAURUS

hypocaust

Furnace

N furnace, stove, kiln, oven, cracker, hearth, focus, combustion chamber, athanor, hypocaust, reverberatory, volcano, forge, fiery furnace, limekiln, Dutch oven, tuyere, brasier, salamander, heater, warming pan, boiler, caldron, seething caldron, pot, urn, kettle, chafing-dish, retort, crucible, alembic, still, waffle irons, muffle furnace, induction furnace, electric heater, electric furnace, electric resistance heat, open-hearth furnace, fireplace, gas fireplace, coal fire, wood fire, fire-dog, fire- irons, grate, range, kitchener, caboose, camboose, poker, tongs, shovel, ashpan, hob, trivet, andiron, gridiron, ashdrop, frying-pan, stew-pan, backlog, hearth, inglenook, oil burner, gas burner, Franklin stove, pot-bellied stove, wood-burning stove, central heating, steam heat, hot water heat, gas heat, forced hot air, electric heat, heat pump, solar heat, convective heat, hothouse, bakehouse, washhouse, laundry, conservatory, sudatory, Turkish bath, Russian bath, vapor bath, steam bath, sauna, warm bath, vaporarium.