hypocaust

English[edit]

Hypocaust from the Roman Baths at Bath, England. The floor has been removed to reveal the pillars of the hypocaust.

Underfloor heating pipes, before they are covered by the screed.

Latin hypocaustum, from Ancient Greek ὑπό (hupó, “underneath”) + καίειν (kaíein, “to light a fire, burn”)

hypocaust (plural hypocausts)

An underfloor space or flue through which heat from a furnace passes to heat the floor of a room or a bath.
An underfloor heating system, even without such an underfloor space or flue, as adapted for modern housing.

underground heating system for a bath