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 heat2: home3: a vital or creative center <the central hearth of occidental civilization — A. L. Kroeber>