kiln
UK: kɪln | US: kɪln
n. a furnace or oven for burning, baking, or drying, especially one for firing pottery, bricks, or lime
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The word "kiln" traces back to Old English cyln or cylen, derived from Latin culīna ("kitchen, cooking stove"), reflecting its early association with heat and firing. Over time, its meaning narrowed to specifically denote a furnace for ceramics or bricks. The spelling evolved from Middle English kilne, influenced by Old Norse kylna ("to cool"), though ironically, the word retained its fiery core meaning. As a compact Germanic/Latin hybrid, "kiln" resists further decomposition while preserving its ancient functional essence.
The potter placed her finished vase in the kiln to harden.
Traditional brick kilns can reach extremely high temperatures.
After drying, the clay sculptures are fired in a kiln for durability.
The ancient kiln discovered by archaeologists was used for lime production.
Modern electric kilns offer precise temperature control for ceramic artists.