Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Flue?

\Flue\, n. [Cf. OF. flue a flowing, fr. fluer to flow, fr. L. fluere (cf. {Fluent}); a perh. a corruption of E. flute.] An inclosed passage way for establishing and directing a current of air, gases, etc.; an air passage; esp.: (a) A compartment or division of a chimney for conveying flame and smoke to the outer air. (b) A passage way for conducting a current of fresh, foul, or heated air from one place to another. (c) (Steam Boiler) A pipe or passage for conveying flame and hot gases through surrounding water in a boiler; -- distinguished from a tube which holds water and is surrounded by fire. Small flues are called fire tubes or simply tubes. {Flue boiler}. See under {Boiler}. {Flue bridge}, the separating low wall between the flues and the laboratory of a reverberatory furnace. {Flue plate} (Steam Boiler), a plate to which the ends of the flues are fastened; -- called also {flue sheet}, {tube sheet}, and {tube plate}. {Flue surface} (Steam Boiler), the aggregate surface of flues exposed to flame or the hot gases.
\Flue\, n. [Cf. F. flou light, tender, G. flau weak, W. llwch dust. [root]84.] Light down, such as rises from cotton, fur, etc.; very fine lint or hair. --Dickens.
\Flue\, n. In an organ flue pipe, the opening between the lower lip and the languet.