Heärth, n.

(härth, 5), n. [A-S. heordh, D. haard, heerd, Sw. härd, N. H. Ger. herd; O. H. Ger. herd, gen. herdes, ground, altar, allied to hero, ground.] 1. The pavement or floor of brick or stone in a chimney, on which a fire is made; the floor of a fire-place, and from which is a passage for smoke to ascend. Where thou find’st fires unraked and hearths unswept, There pinch the maids as blue as bilberry. Shak. 2. The house itself, as the abode of comfort to its inmates and of hospitality to strangers. Some of the compounds are hearth-brush, hearth-broom, hearth-rug.