\Hyp"o*caust\, n. [L. hypocaustum, Gr. ?; ? under + ?
to burn: cf. F. hypocauste.] (Anc. Arch.)
A furnace, esp. one connected with a series of small chambers
and flues of tiles or other masonry through which the heat of
a fire was distributed to rooms above. This contrivance,
first used in bath, was afterwards adopted in private houses.