Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A small boiler, usually upright, employed when only a small power is required.
  • noun Nautical, a small boiler which furnishes steam when there are no fires in the main boilers.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

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Examples

  • With this Parthian shaft of humor he vanished towards the forecastle, whence the ubiquitous donkey-boiler, through one of its long arms, would shoot forth the stockless anchors at the touch of a lever.

    The Captain of the Kansas Louis Tracy 1895

  • Steam was kept up constantly in the donkey-boiler, not alone for the electric light and the daily working of the pumps -- as the

    The Captain of the Kansas Louis Tracy 1895

  • Tollemache, who undertook the firing of the donkey-boiler, which was situated on the main deck aft of the saloon -- for the _Kansas_ was built chiefly to accommodate cargo -- during his wanderings round the world had picked up sufficient knowledge of steam-power to shovel fuel into the furnace and regulate the water-level by the feed valve and pump.

    The Captain of the Kansas Louis Tracy 1895

  • Walker was screwing tight the door of the engine-room, in order to safeguard the fireman in attendance on the donkey-boiler.

    The Captain of the Kansas Louis Tracy 1895

  • "It is certainly a change from stoking the donkey-boiler, and bowling over Alaculofs like nine-pius."

    The Captain of the Kansas Louis Tracy 1895

  • Courtenay recognized him as a leading stoker who had temporary charge of the donkey-boiler and seized him wrathfully, his eyes ablaze.

    The Captain of the Kansas Louis Tracy 1895

  • "Go and see if the donkey-boiler has a good head of steam.

    The Captain of the Kansas Louis Tracy 1895

  • "Well, missie," he said, "I'm examining the engines, Mistaw Tollemache is fi-wing up the donkey-boiler, an 'Doctaw Chwistobal is with Mistaw Boyle.

    The Captain of the Kansas Louis Tracy 1895

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  • This word is not what it seems.

    February 13, 2011