FURNACE Copy link • FURNACEfornax (to which the adjective may be added, to denote what it is used for; e.g., Plin., 17, 19, 6, calcaria fornax). IMPROPR., The furnace of affliction, (quasi) faces doloris or dolorum (Cic.). Anybody is tried in the furnace of affliction, *alicujus pectus dolorum quasi facibus admotis exploratur or purgatur, or *alicujus scelus dolorum quasi igne exuritur (after Verg., Aen., 6, 742).