D defs.my
Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913

Hypocaust

· Hyp·o·caust · IPA
01 n. 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 dist…
  1. 1.
    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.(Anc. Arch.)