Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun An iron chamber or reservoir or a combination of pipes, at the back of a cooking-range or other fireplace, to utilize the heat of the fire in providing a supply of hot water.
  • noun In brewing, a cistern which holds the water used for mashing.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • He had not been gone half an hour when the water-back blew up.

    At Home with the Jardines Lilian Bell

  • Mary cheerfully declared her regret that Mr. Close had not been bending over the stove with his lie in his throat when the water-back remonstrated.

    At Home with the Jardines Lilian Bell

  • "Did you have the range cleaned and the water-back examined?" demanded

    At Home with the Jardines Lilian Bell

  • The kitchen-range with its water-back I humbly salute.

    The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 14, No. 85, November, 1864 Various

  • The major had gone to Tuxedo for the week’s end; her maid had bronchitis; two horses required the veterinary, and the kitchen range a new water-back.

    The Fighting Chance 1899

  • But, although you can have a water-back and boiler with most modern stoves or, as they are now called, portable ranges, the supply of hot water will not be large.

    Miss Parloa's New Cook Book Maria Parloa 1876

  • This stove is furnished with pipes for heating water, like the water-back of ranges, and these can be taken or left out at pleasure.

    American Woman's Home Harriet Beecher Stowe 1853

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