[Corruption of Allemand or Almain, i.e., German, furnace.] Name of a furnace used in the refining process to separate metals from cinders and other dross, and for the reduction of slag of litharge to lead.
1674. Ray, Smelting Silver, in Collect., 116. Another Furnace they have which they call an Almond Furnace.
1751. Chambers, Cycl., s.v., The Almond-furnace, called also the sweep, is usually six feet high, four wide, and two thick; it is built of brick.
