Glassmaking Vocabulary

noun a structure or apparatus in which heat may be generated, as for heating houses or producing steam

• The furnace in the factory is used to melt metal for casting.
• It's freezing outside, let's crank up the furnace to warm up the house.
• I'm sweating like a pig in front of this dang furnace.
• Her anger burned like a furnace, scorching everyone in its path.

noun a furnace or oven for burning, baking, or drying, especially one for calcining lime or firing pottery

• The ceramics were fired in the kiln to harden and set the glaze.
• We're going to need to fire up the kiln before we can start making pottery.
• Let's crank up the kiln and get these clay pots cooking!
• Working in the kiln of competition, she emerged stronger and more resilient.

verb to moderate or control, typically by adding a counterbalancing influence

• The metal was carefully tempered to achieve the desired strength and flexibility.
• I always make sure to temper my expectations before going into a new situation.
• She really tempered her response to avoid causing any drama.
• His emotions were like a tightly tempered steel blade, ready to cut through any obstacle in his way.