Definition of Hearth

1. Noun. An open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built. "The hearth was black with the charcoal of many fires"

Exact synonyms: Fireplace, Open Fireplace
Group relationships: Chimney
Specialized synonyms: Fire
Terms within: Fire Iron, Fireside, Hearthstone, Chimneypiece, Mantel, Mantelpiece, Mantle, Mantlepiece, Water Back
Generic synonyms: Niche, Recess

2. Noun. Home symbolized as a part of the fireplace. "Fighting in defense of their firesides"
Exact synonyms: Fireside
Generic synonyms: Abode, Domicile, Dwelling, Dwelling House, Habitation, Home
Group relationships: Fireplace, Open Fireplace
Language type: Synecdoche

3. Noun. An area near a fireplace (usually paved and extending out into a room). "They sat on the hearth and warmed themselves before the fire"
Exact synonyms: Fireside
Generic synonyms: Area, Country

Definition of Hearth

1. n. The pavement or floor of brick, stone, or metal in a chimney, on which a fire is made; the floor of a fireplace; also, a corresponding part of a stove.

Definition of Hearth

1. Noun. A brick, stone or cement floor to a fireplace or oven ¹

2. Noun. An open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire may be built ¹

3. Noun. The lowest part of a metallurgical furnace ¹

4. Noun. A symbol for home or family life ¹

5. Noun. (context: paganism) A household or group following the modern pagan faith of Heathenry. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Hearth

1. the floor of a fireplace [n -S]

Medical Definition of Hearth

1. 1. The pavement or floor of brick, stone, or metal in a chimney, on which a fire is made; the floor of a fireplace; also, a corresponding part of a stove. "There was a fire on the hearth burning before him." (Jer. Xxxvi. 22) "Where fires thou find'st unraked and hearths unswept. There pinch the maids as blue as bilberry." (Shak) 2. The house itself, as the abode of comfort to its inmates and of hospitality to strangers; fireside. 3. The floor of a furnace, on which the material to be heated lies, or the lowest part of a melting furnace, into which the melted material settles. Hearth ends, fragments of lead ore ejected from the furnace by the blast. Hearth money, Hearth penny [AS. Heorthpening], a tax formerly laid in England on hearths, each hearth (in all houses paying the church and poor rates) being taxed at two shillings; called also chimney money, etc. "He had been importuned by the common people to relieve them from the . . . Burden of the hearth money." (Macaulay) Origin: OE. Harthe, herth, herthe, AS. Heor; akin to D. Haard, heerd, Sw. Hard, G. Herd; cf. Goth. Haori a coal, Icel. Hyrr embers, and L. Cremare to burn. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Hearth

heartened
heartener
hearteners
heartening
hearteningly
heartens
heartes
heartfelt
heartfeltly
heartfeltness
heartfree
heartful
heartfulness
heartfuls
heartgrief
hearth (current term)
hearth and home
hearth money
hearth tax
hearthflame
hearthflames
hearthless
hearthlike
hearthrug
hearthrugs
hearths
hearthside
hearthsides
hearthstone
hearthstoned

Literary usage of Hearth

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Journal by Iron and Steel Institute (1903)
"Open-hearth Steel in the Siegerland.—The production of open-hearth steel in the Siegerland forms the subject of a paper by ..."

2. The Encyclopedia Americana: A Library of Universal Knowledge (1920)
"Open hearth.— The next great advance in the metallurgy of steel was the development ... The prior discovery which led up to the open-hearth process was the ..."

3. The Political History of England by William Hunt, Reginald Lane Poole (1905)
"In January, 1368, he obtained from the estates of Aquitaine a new hearth tax of ten sous a hearth for five years. The tax was freely voted and collected ..."

4. The Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and General by Thomas Spencer Baynes (1888)
"According to Petin (Лит. /. and S. Inst., 1874, 143) the fuel consumption with the Pernot hearth as compared with the ordinary puddling furnace is ..."

5. A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines: Containing a Clear Exposition by Andrew Ure (1856)
"The lime expended is about 12 Winchester bushels, or something below 3 bushels per fodder of lead. Smelting iti the Slag hearth.—The slags picked out of the ..."

6. Walden; Or, Life in the Woods: Or, Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau (1893)
"Well, we are safe and strong, for now we sit Beside a hearth where no dim shadows flit, Where nothing cheers nor saddens, but a fire Warms feet and hands ..."

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