flue
Noun: 1. A conduit or pipe for carrying away smoke, gases, or air: A flue is a duct, pipe, or enclosed passageway designed to vent exhaust gases, such as smoke from a fireplace, furnace, or boiler, to the outside atmosphere. 2. An organ pipe whose tone is produced by air passing across a sharp edge: In a pipe organ, a flue pipe is a type of pipe that produces sound when air is directed against a lip or sharp edge (a fipple), similar to a whistle or recorder. 3. A flat, bladelike projection on the arm of an anchor: In nautical contexts, a flue is the broad, flat part at the end of an anchor's arm that digs into the seabed to provide holding power.
- Conduit for smoke/gases:
- The chimney sweep cleaned the soot from the fireplace flue.
- A blocked flue can cause dangerous carbon monoxide to build up in the home.
- Organ pipe:
- The organ's principal stop consists of a rank of metal flue pipes.
- Flue pipes produce a clear, flute-like tone.
- Anchor part:
- The anchor's flues bit firmly into the sandy bottom.
- A larger flue surface area improves an anchor's holding capacity.
- Flue gas: The exhaust gas produced by combustion processes, often discussed in environmental and engineering contexts.
- The factory installed scrubbers to remove pollutants from its flue gas.
- Flue lining: A protective lining inside a chimney flue, often made of clay or metal, to improve safety and durability.
- Installing a stainless steel flue lining can repair a damaged chimney.
- Flue pipe (n): Specifically refers to the organ pipe type or, less commonly, a pipe that acts as a flue for gases.
- Flue-cured (adj): A method of curing tobacco using heat conveyed through flues, giving it a light color and specific flavor.
- Flue-cured tobacco is commonly used in cigarettes.
- For conduit: Chimney, duct, vent, exhaust pipe, smokestack.
- For organ pipe: (Specific to type) Flue pipe, labial pipe.
- For anchor part: Blade, palm.
The three primary meanings of "flue" are distinct and belong to different specialized fields (construction/heating, music, and maritime). The context of the sentence will always clarify which meaning is intended. The most common everyday usage is the first definition (a conduit for smoke).
- a conduit to carry off smoke
- organ pipe whose tone is produced by air passing across the sharp edge of a fissure or lip
- flat bladelike projection on the arm of an anchor