Definitions for "Hypocaust"
A furnace, esp. one connected with a series of small chambers and flues of tiles or other masonry through which the heat of a fire was distributed to rooms above. This contrivance, first used in bath, was afterwards adopted in private houses.
The Romans way of heating buildings by spreading hot air beneath the floor.
A Roman underfloor heating system. Hot air would pass from a furnace through spaces under the floor and up through hollow tiles within the walls, before being released through a chimney.