Definition of "fire-hole" [fire-hole]

• A hole cut through the ice near a camp or a ship which has been frozen in, for the purpose of drawing water to extinguish any accidental fire. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "And I took the torn body of the maid, very sorrowful, and cast it into the fire-hole."
• "And as the Maid ministered unto me, I lay alway very restful, and harked to the low sound of the muttering of the fire-hole that did be in the bottom of the Gorge; and alway I did feel as an happy child that doth be clothed in love and guided in wisdom."
• "Yet I spoke quiet with the Maid, and showed unto her how that we did well to stay off-ward from the fires; but, truly, she was so utter cold and chill, that she did beg that we go down by the fire-hole, even should it be that we stay no more there than should put a warmth through the utter chill of our bodies."