heater

Etymology

heat + -er

noun

1. A device that produces and radiates heat, typically to raise the temperature of a room or building.
   Turn on the heater; I'm cold.
2. A person who heats something, for example in metalworking.
3. (dated, slang) A gun.
   The thug pumped two rounds from his heater into her.
4. (baseball, slang) A fastball, especially one thrown at high velocity.
   Jones threw a heater under his chin.
5. (gambling, slang) An extended winning streak.
   Emmy went on a heater in Las Vegas and came back six thousand dollars richer.
6. (historical) A medieval European shield having a rounded triangle shape like a clothes iron.
   It can be assumed that as the earlier kite shield transformed into the heater shape, there must have been versions in between the two styles. Indeed, in artwork of the Medieval period, shields are rarely present after 1450 and even then are quite small. The development of flattop heaters from larger kite shields is likely the result of increased fighting on horseback and the use of improved armor. 1998, John Clements, Medieval Swordsmanship: Illustrated Methods and Techniques
7. (horse racing) A dead heat; a race in which two or more competitors reach the finish line simultaneously.