glass-furnace

glass-furnace

A worker carefully observes the molten glass inside the glass-furnace.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A furnace for melting glass: A "glass-furnace" is a specialized industrial furnace used to melt raw materials (such as silica sand, soda ash, and limestone) to produce molten glass for manufacturing glass products.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The glass-furnace operates at extremely high temperatures to melt the raw materials. (A furnace designed for glass production.)
    • Workers carefully monitor the glass-furnace to ensure the molten glass remains at the correct consistency. (A furnace used in glassmaking.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to fire a glass-furnace": to start or maintain the heating process in a glass-furnace.

    • The artisan fired the glass-furnace early in the morning to prepare for the day's work. (Heated the furnace to begin glass melting.)

  • "to tap a glass-furnace": to release molten glass from the furnace for use.

    • The operator tapped the glass-furnace to collect the molten glass for blowing. (Opened the furnace to extract molten glass.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Glass furnace (n): an alternative spelling (with a space) meaning the same thing.

    • The glass furnace was repaired after a crack developed. (The furnace used for melting glass.)

  • Furnace (n): a device for heating materials to high temperatures, used in various industries.

    • The furnace in the factory heats metal for forging. (A general heating device.)
Synonyms
  • Glass-melting furnace: a furnace specifically designed for melting glass.
  • Glass kiln: a type of furnace used for glassmaking, especially for annealing or fusing glass.
Phrasal Verbs

  • Fire up (a glass-furnace): to start or ignite the furnace to bring it to operating temperature.

    • The technician fired up the glass-furnace before dawn. (Started the furnace heating process.)

  • Shut down (a glass-furnace): to turn off or cool down the furnace safely.

    • They shut down the glass-furnace for maintenance. (Stopped the furnace operation.)
Related Idioms
  • "All glass-furnaces are hot": a metaphorical saying meaning that all difficult tasks require effort (not a common idiom, but constructed for illustration).
    • He complained about his job, but his boss reminded him that all glass-furnaces are hot. (All work is challenging.)