athanor Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a furnace that feeds itself so as to maintain a uniform temperature; used by alchemists

WordNet

Ath"a*nor noun
Etymology
F., fr. Ar. at-tannur, fr. Heb. tannur an oven or furnace.
Definitions
  1. A digesting furnace, formerly used by alchemists. It was so constructed as to maintain uniform and durable heat. Chambers.

Webster 1913