ˈsmoke-hole
[smoke n. 1.]
1. The vent or external orifice of a flue; a hole in the roof of a hut through which the smoke of the fire escapes.
| c 1340 Nominale (Skeat) 479 For smoke a smoke-hole. 1493–4 Rec. St. Mary at Hill 201 In expences whane sartayne of þe paryshe yede to Awew þe smoke holys. 1663 Gerbier Counsel 22 Cover the top of Chimneyes..; the smoake holes can be..made on the sides. 1825 Lockhart in Scott's Fam. Lett. (1894) II. 298 The smoke-hole..in the roof. 1856 Kane Arctic Expl. I. xxx. 406 A smoke-hole passed through the roof. 1891 Rider Haggard Nada the Lily xxix. 240 Zinita..had climbed the hut, and now lay there in the dark, her ear upon the smoke-hole, listening to every word. |
b. = fumarole.
| 1899 Daily News 18 Nov. 7/2 No lava is flowing, and even the fumarole, or smoke-holes, give forth no sign. |
† 2. transf. or fig. a. An imposture, trick. b. A smoking-room. c. The mouth of a smoker. Obs.
| 1580 Hollyband Treas. Fr. Tong s.v Fourbe, We may easily iudge of this stuffe, or smokehole, or guile. 1673 Charac. Coffee Ho. in Harl. Misc. (1810) VI. 468 The arch devil, wherewith this smoke-hole is haunted, is the town⁓wit. a 1704 T. Brown Walk r. Lond. Wks. 1709 III. iii. 59 Which unsavory Compliment was thus retorted.., viz. Stop your Smoak-hole Nincompoop. |