flue-cure: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Specialist
Quick answer
What does “flue-cure” mean?
To cure tobacco, typically in a barn, by using heat from flues (pipes) to circulate warm air rather than direct exposure to smoke.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To cure tobacco, typically in a barn, by using heat from flues (pipes) to circulate warm air rather than direct exposure to smoke.
The specific agricultural process or resulting quality of tobacco that has been dried and preserved using indirect, controlled heat.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The process is more commonly referenced in American English due to the prominence of tobacco cultivation in the southeastern US. British English uses the term primarily in trade/agricultural contexts.
Connotations
Neutral agricultural/industrial connotations in both. Associated with specific tobacco types (e.g., Virginia tobacco) and its economic history.
Frequency
Much more frequent in American English. Rare in everyday speech in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “flue-cure” in a Sentence
[Subject: farmer/worker] + flue-cure + [Object: tobacco/leaf][Object: Tobacco] + is/are + flue-curedVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flue-cure” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The farmers will flue-cure the harvest in the traditional barns.
- This variety is typically flue-cured to develop its signature mildness.
American English
- They flue-cure the tobacco in those big barns with metal roofs.
- We need to flue-cure these leaves before the humidity sets in.
adjective
British English
- Flue-cured tobacco is a major export.
- The price of flue-cured leaf has risen.
American English
- He works on a flue-cured tobacco farm.
- Most American cigarettes use flue-cured tobacco.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in commodity trading, agriculture reports, and supply chain discussions for tobacco.
Academic
Found in agricultural science, economic history, and phytopathology papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core term in tobacco agronomy, describing a specific curing method distinct from air- or fire-curing.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flue-cure”
- Using 'flu-cure' (related to influenza).
- Confusing it with 'fire-cure', which uses smoke.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not related. 'Flue' here refers to a pipe or channel for conveying heat, from the old English word 'flue' meaning a chimney.
The term is almost exclusively used for tobacco. Other crops or materials are dried or cured using different specific terms.
Flue-curing uses controlled, indirect heat over a shorter period, producing a bright, mild leaf. Air-curing involves hanging leaves in a well-ventilated barn for weeks, resulting in a darker leaf with different chemical properties.
No, it is a highly specialised technical term used primarily in agriculture and associated industries. Most native speakers would not know its precise meaning without context.
To cure tobacco, typically in a barn, by using heat from flues (pipes) to circulate warm air rather than direct exposure to smoke.
Flue-cure is usually technical/specialist in register.
Flue-cure: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfluː ˌkjʊə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfluː ˌkjʊr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a FLUE (pipe for heat) providing the CURE (preservation method) for tobacco leaves.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROCESS IS A JOURNEY (the tobacco goes through the flue-curing process to reach its final state).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of flue-curing?