Etymology Map
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Furnace

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an enclosed chamber for heating

Where does the word "furnace" come from? It comes from Latin fornax, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
fornax
Latin · ancient
"oven, kiln"
related to 'formus', warm
2
Stage 2 of 3
fornais
Old French · medieval
"furnace"
Old French for a baker's oven
3
Stage 3 of 3
furnace
English · 1200s
"oven"
blast furnaces date from the 1700s
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Read the full story

Furnace’s story begins in Latin: fornax meant “oven, kiln.” Related to 'formus', warm. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as fornais. Old French for a baker's oven. It reached English by 1200s as furnace. Blast furnaces date from the 1700s. Today, furnace means an enclosed chamber for heating.