Main Entry: hearth

Pronunciation: \ˈhärth\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English herth, from Old English heorth; akin to Old High German herd hearth, and probably to Sanskrit kūḍayāti he scorches

Date: before 12th century

1 a : a brick, stone, or concrete area in front of a fireplace b : the floor of a fireplace; also : fireplace c : the lowest section of a furnace; especially : the section of a furnace on which the ore or metal is exposed to the flame or heat
2 : home
3 : a vital or creative center <the central hearth of occidental civilization — A. L. Kroeber>