† philosophers' towern.Obsolete a tall, narrow chemical furnace.
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society > occupation and work > equipment > furnace or kiln > furnace > [noun] > types of furnace by shape
philosophers' tower1688
cupola-furnace1716
ring furnace1842
shaft-furnace1874
stack-furnace1877
1688 R. HolmeAcad. Armoryiii. xx. 228 The Philosophers Tower,..a kind of Tower furnace, wherewith a man may distill both water and oyle with one only fire.