A Finnish steam bath; steam is produced by pouring water over heated rocks; SYN. sweat room.
Bath causing perspiration by means of dry heat. It consists of a small room in which the temperature is raised to about 90şC/200şF. The bather typically stays in it for only a few minutes and then follows it with a cold shower or swim. Saunas are popular in health clubs and sports centers.
The sauna derives from a Finnish dry-heat bath in which small quantities of steam can be produced by throwing cold water over hot stones; this is traditionally followed by a beating of the skin with birch twigs to stimulate the circulation, and a plunge into a lake or snow outdoors.