air headingn.
/ˈɛː ˌhɛdɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈɛr ˌ(h)ɛdɪŋ/ Mining. Now rare.
A horizontal passage constructed in order to carry air to part of a mine; (also) †the construction of such a passage (obsolete). Cf. airhead n. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > gas > air > fresh air > [noun] > supplying fresh air or ventilation > ventilator > passage, shaft, duct, or pipe > in a mine
througher1645
thirling1686
air-pit1709
airway1800
wind-hole1802
air course1814
buze1823
air road1832
raggling1839
air heading1841
thirl1847
run1849
wind-road1860
wind-way1875
1841 in F. A. Carrington & J. Payne Rep. Cases Nisi Prius IX. 743 The custom is that when butty colliers leave off working a coal mine, without giving notice, they are not entitled to be paid for gate roading, air heading, or coals undergone.
1846 Times 24 Nov. 5/3 I do not think the air headings are sufficiently driven in nine out of ten pits in this neighbourhood.
1860 Eng. & Foreign Mining Gloss. (new ed.) 80 Sumping, a small square shaft, generally made in the air-headings, when crossing faults, &c., or made to prove the thickness of coal, &c.
2001 E. V. Stanis & B. I. Maskovtsev in R. N. Yong & H. R. Thomas Geoenvironmental Engin. 89 This was caused by a caving of the roof rocks in the air heading, from which the support had been removed.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2008; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1841