from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Chimney \Chim"ney\, n.; pl. {Chimneys}. [F. chemin['e]e, LL.
caminata, fr. L. caminus furnace, fireplace, Gr. ? furnace,
oven.]
1. A fireplace or hearth. [Obs.] --Sir W. Raleigh.
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2. That part of a building which contains the smoke flues;
esp. an upright tube or flue of brick or stone, in most
cases extending through or above the roof of the building.
Often used instead of chimney shaft.
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Hard by a cottage chimney smokes. --Milton.
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3. A tube usually of glass, placed around a flame, as of a
lamp, to create a draft, and promote combustion.
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4. (Min.) A body of ore, usually of elongated form, extending
downward in a vein. --Raymond.
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{Chimney board}, a board or screen used to close a fireplace;
a fireboard.
{Chimney cap}, a device to improve the draught of a chimney,
by presenting an exit aperture always to leeward.
{Chimney corner}, the space between the sides of the
fireplace and the fire; hence, the fireside.
{Chimney hook}, a hook for holding pats and kettles over a
fire,
{Chimney money}, hearth money, a duty formerly paid in
England for each chimney.
{Chimney pot} (Arch.), a cylinder of earthenware or sheet
metal placed at the top of a chimney which rises above the
roof.
{Chimney swallow}. (Zool.)
(a) An American swift ({Ch[ae]ture pelasgica}) which lives
in chimneys.
(b) In England, the common swallow ({Hirundo rustica}).
{Chimney sweep}, {Chimney sweeper}, one who cleans chimneys
of soot; esp. a boy who climbs the flue, and brushes off
the soot.
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