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hypocaust Definition

hypo·caust (hī′pō kôst′, hip′ō-)

noun

a space below the floor in some ancient Roman buildings, into which hot air was piped to warm the rooms

Etymology: L hypocaustum < Gr hypokauston < hypokaiein, to heat by applying fire below < hypo- (see hypo-) + kaiein, to burn

hypocaust Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • have: He has a hypocaust running under the main rooms to keep them cozy in winter.
  • find: In 1824 was found the hypocaust now in the grounds of the Girls ' High School, Greenhead.
  • contain: It seems probable that this room contained a hypocaust and it may have related to a bath-house wing of the village.
  • call: In Britain the Romans found it so cold that they invented a sort of central heating called a hypocaust.
  • include: The gardens contain Roman artifacts from over the city and include a replica hypocaust ( central heating system ).

Modifies a noun

  • tile: Additionally, the evaluation assessment notes the presence of hypocaust tile and burnt brick.
  • heating: Central heating has its origins in the hypocaust heating system introduced by the Romans nearly 2,000.. .
  • room: In addition a further two hypocaust rooms have been unearthed together with what the experts believe was a plunge pool.
  • building: For example, funds raised by the Trust have helped pay for the new hypocaust building.