properly signifies a little furnace, wherein smiths and other artificers of iron or steel, &c. heat their metals red-hot, in order to soften them and render them more malleable and manageable on the anvil.

Forge is also used for a large furnace, wherein iron-ore, taken out of the mine, is melted down: or it is more properly applied to another kind of furnace, wherein the iron-ore, melted down and separated in a former furnace, and then cast into sows and pigs, is heated and fused over again, and beaten afterwards with large hammers, and thus rendered more soft, pure, ductile, and fit for use.