noun

1. the stone or brick floor of a fireplace, often extending out into the room
2. 1. the fireside as the center of family life
   2. family life; home
3. the part of a brick oven, or of a blacksmith's forge, on which the fire rests
4. Metallurgy
   1. the lowest part of a blast furnace, on which the molten metal and slag are deposited
   2. the floor of a furnace on which the ore or metal rests for exposure to the flame

Etymology: ME herth < OE heorth, akin to Ger herd < IE base *ker-, to burn, glow > L carbo, coal, Lith kárštas, hot