Meaning
A pipe or duct that carries gaseous combustion products away from the point of combustion (such as a furnace).
Etymology
Origin: Old English
From Middle English flue, flewe (“mouthpiece of a hunting horn”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps a back-formation from Middle English *flews (mistaken as a plural), from Old English flēwsa (“a flow, flowing, flux”). Alternatively, perhaps an alteration of Middle English floute, fleute, flote (“a pipe”), see English flute. Compare also Middle Dutch vloegh (“groove, channel, flute of a fluted column”).
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 12 recorded puzzles: