chimneys Hear it!

Variant of chimney

chimney Definition

chim·ney (c̸him′nē)

noun pl. chimneys -·neys

  1. the passage through which smoke or fumes from a fire escape; flue
  2. a structure containing a flue or flues and extending above the roof of a building
  3. a glass tube set around the flame of a candle or lamp
  4. something like a chimney; specif.,
    1. a narrow column of rock formed by erosion, esp. that caused by waves
    2. ☆ a vertical body of ore
    3. the vent of a volcano or cave
  5. Chiefly Brit. a smokestack
  6. Dialectal a hearth

Etymology: ME chimene, a fireplace < OFr cheminée < LL caminata, fireplace < L caminus, furnace, flue < Gr kaminos, oven, fireplace; ult. < ? IE base *kam, to arch > camera

chimneys Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • disused: Sometimes they roost in the lining of tall disused industrial chimneys and other hollow walls including cavities in bridges.
  • unused: Here are a few types of swifts: The chimney swift nests in walls, unused chimneys, around towns.

Noun used with modifier

  • incinerator: The black smoke that billows from the engine is a graphic match to the incinerator chimneys at the camps.
  • factory: Titus Salt stood almost alone in fitting smoke burners to his factory chimneys in Bradford.

chimneys Quotes

When my mother died I was very young, And my father sold me while yet my tongue Could scarcely cry weep weep weep weep. So your chimneys I sweep, and in soot I sleep. —Blake,William