Adjacent Words

Iron definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

IRON, n. i'urn, or i'rn. [L. ferrum, for herrum. The radical elements of this word are not easily ascertained.]
1. A metal, the hardest, most common and most useful of all the metals; of a livid whitish color inclined to gray, internally composed, to appearance, of small facets, and susceptible of a fine polish. It is so hard and elastic as to be capable of destroying the aggregation of any other metal. Next to tin, it is the lightest of all metallic substances, and next to gold, the most tenacious. It may be hammered into plates,but not into leaves. Its ductility is more considerable. It has the property of magnetism; it is attracted by the lodestone, and will acquire its properties. It is found rarely in native masses, but in ores, mineralized by different substances, it abounds in every part of the earth. Its medicinal qualities are valuable.
2. An instrument or utensil made of iron; as a flat-iron, a smoothing-iron.
Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? Job 41.
3. Figuratively, strength; power; as a rod of iron. Daniel 2.
4. Irons, plu. fetters; chains; manacles; handcuffs. Psalms 105.
I'RON, a. Made of iron; consisting of iron; as an iron gate; an iron bar; iron dust.
1. Resembling iron in color; as an iron gray color.
2. Harsh; rude; severe; miserable; as the iron age of the world.
Iron years of wars and dangers.
Jove crush'd the nations with an iron rod.
3. Binding fast; not to be broken; as the iron sleep of death.
4. Hard of understanding; dull; as an iron witted fool.
5. Firm; robust; as an iron constitution.
I'RON, v.t. To smooth with an instrument of iron.
1. To shackle with irons; to fetter or handcuff.
2. To furnish or arm with iron.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: extremely robust; "an iron constitution" [syn: cast- iron, iron] n
1: a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood [syn: iron, Fe, atomic number 26]
2: a golf club that has a relatively narrow metal head
3: implement used to brand live stock [syn: iron, branding iron]
4: home appliance consisting of a flat metal base that is heated and used to smooth cloth [syn: iron, smoothing iron] v
1: press and smooth with a heated iron; "press your shirts"; "she stood there ironing" [syn: iron, iron out, press]

Merriam Webster's

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English ?sern, ?ren; akin to Old High German ?sarn iron Date: before 12th century 1. a silver-white malleable ductile magnetic heavy metallic element that readily rusts in moist air, occurs native in meteorites and combined in most igneous rocks, is the most used of metals, and is vital to biological processes — see element table 2. something made of iron: as a. plural shackles for the hands or legs b. a heated metal implement used for branding or cauterizing c. a household device usually with a flat metal base that is heated to smooth, finish, or press (as cloth) d. stirrup — usually used in plural e. any of a series of numbered golf clubs having relatively thin metal heads — compare wood 3. great strength, hardness, or determination II. adjective Date: before 12th century 1. of, relating to, or made of iron 2. resembling iron 3. a. strong and healthy ; robust <an iron constitution> b. inflexible, unrelenting <iron determination> c. holding or binding fast <an iron grip> • ironness noun III. verb Date: 15th century transitive verb 1. to furnish or cover with iron 2. to shackle with irons 3. a. to smooth with or as if with a heated iron <iron a shirt> b. to remove (as wrinkles) by ironing intransitive verb to smooth or press cloth or clothing with a heated iron

Dictionary of the Elements

iron
Symbol: Fe
Atomic number: 26
Atomic weight: 55.847
Silvery malleable and ductile metallic transition element. Has nine isotopes and is the fourth most abundant element in the earth's crust. Required by living organisms as a trace element (used in hemoglobin in humans.) Quite reactive, oxidizes in moist air, displaces hydrogen from dilute acids and combines with nonmetallic elements.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n., adj., & v. --n. 1 Chem. a silver-white ductile metallic element occurring naturally as haematite, magnetite, etc., much used for tools and implements, and an essential element in all living organisms. Usage: Symb.: Fe. 2 this as a type of unyieldingness or a symbol of firmness (man of iron; will of iron). 3 a tool or implement made of iron (branding iron; curling iron). 4 a household, now usu. electrical, implement with a flat base which is heated to smooth clothes etc. 5 a golf club with an iron or steel sloping face used for lofting the ball. 6 (usu. in pl.) a fetter (clapped in irons). 7 (usu. in pl.) a stirrup. 8 (often in pl.) an iron support for a malformed leg. 9 a preparation of iron as a tonic or dietary supplement (iron tablets). --adj. 1 made of iron. 2 very robust. 3 unyielding, merciless (iron determination). --v.tr. 1 smooth (clothes etc.) with an iron. 2 furnish or cover with iron. 3 shackle with irons. Phrases and idioms: in irons handcuffed, chained, etc. Iron Age Archaeol. the period following the Bronze Age when iron replaced bronze in the making of implements and weapons. iron-bark any of various eucalyptus trees with a thick solid bark and hard dense timber. iron-bound 1 bound with iron. 2 rigorous; hard and fast. 3 (of a coast) rock-bound. Iron Cross the highest German military decoration for bravery. Iron Curtain a notional barrier to the passage of people and information between the Soviet bloc and the West. iron hand firmness or inflexibility (cf. velvet glove). iron in the fire an undertaking, opportunity, or commitment (usu. in pl.: too many irons in the fire). ironing-board a flat surface usu. on legs and of adjustable height on which clothes etc. are ironed. iron lung a rigid case fitted over a patient's body, used for administering prolonged artificial respiration by means of mechanical pumps. iron maiden hist. an instrument of torture consisting of a coffin-shaped box lined with iron spikes. iron-mould (US -mold) a spot caused by iron-rust or an ink-stain, esp. on fabric. iron-on able to be fixed to the surface of a fabric etc. by ironing. iron out remove or smooth over (difficulties etc.). iron pyrites see PYRITES. iron ration a small emergency supply of food. Derivatives: ironer n. ironing n. (in sense 1 of v.). ironless adj. iron-like adj. Etymology: OE iren, isern f. Gmc, prob. f. Celt.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Iron I"ron ([imac]"[u^]rn), n. [OE. iren, AS. [=i]ren, [=i]sen, [=i]sern; akin to D. ijzer, OS. [=i]sarn, OHG. [=i]sarn, [=i]san, G. eisen, Icel. [=i]sarn, j[=a]rn, Sw. & Dan. jern, and perh. to E. ice; cf. Ir. iarann, W. haiarn, Armor. houarn.] 1. (Chem.) The most common and most useful metallic element, being of almost universal occurrence, usually in the form of an oxide (as hematite, magnetite, etc.), or a hydrous oxide (as limonite, turgite, etc.). It is reduced on an enormous scale in three principal forms; viz., cast iron, steel, and wrought iron. Iron usually appears dark brown, from oxidation or impurity, but when pure, or on a fresh surface, is a gray or white metal. It is easily oxidized (rusted) by moisture, and is attacked by many corrosive agents. Symbol Fe (Latin Ferrum). Atomic weight 55.9. Specific gravity, pure iron, 7.86; cast iron, 7.1. In magnetic properties, it is superior to all other substances. Note: The value of iron is largely due to the facility with which it can be worked. Thus, when heated it is malleable and ductile, and can be easily welded and forged at a high temperature. As cast iron, it is easily fusible; as steel, is very tough, and (when tempered) very hard and elastic. Chemically, iron is grouped with cobalt and nickel. Steel is a variety of iron containing more carbon than wrought iron, but less that cast iron. It is made either from wrought iron, by roasting in a packing of carbon (cementation) or from cast iron, by burning off the impurities in a Bessemer converter (then called Bessemer steel), or directly from the iron ore (as in the Siemens rotatory and generating furnace). 2. An instrument or utensil made of iron; -- chiefly in composition; as, a flatiron, a smoothing iron, etc. My young soldier, put up your iron. --Shak. 3. pl. Fetters; chains; handcuffs; manacles. Four of the sufferers were left to rot in irons. --Macaulay. 4. Strength; power; firmness; inflexibility; as, to rule with a rod of iron. Bar iron. See Wrought iron (below). Bog iron, bog ore; limonite. See Bog ore, under Bog. Cast iron (Metal.), an impure variety of iron, containing from three to six percent of carbon, part of which is united with a part of the iron, as a carbide, and the rest is uncombined, as graphite. It there is little free carbon, the product is white iron; if much of the carbon has separated as graphite, it is called gray iron. See also Cast iron, in the Vocabulary. Fire irons. See under Fire, n. Gray irons. See under Fire, n. Gray iron. See Cast iron (above). It irons (Naut.), said of a sailing vessel, when, in tacking, she comes up head to the wind and will not fill away on either tack. Magnetic iron. See Magnetite. Malleable iron (Metal.), iron sufficiently pure or soft to be capable of extension under the hammer; also, specif., a kind of iron produced by removing a portion of the carbon or other impurities from cast iron, rendering it less brittle, and to some extent malleable. Meteoric iron (Chem.), iron forming a large, and often the chief, ingredient of meteorites. It invariably contains a small amount of nickel and cobalt. Cf. Meteorite. Pig iron, the form in which cast iron is made at the blast furnace, being run into molds, called pigs. Reduced iron. See under Reduced. Specular iron. See Hematite. Too many irons in the fire, too many objects requiring the attention at once. White iron. See Cast iron (above). Wrought iron (Metal.), the purest form of iron commonly known in the arts, containing only about half of one per cent of carbon. It is made either directly from the ore, as in the Catalan forge or bloomery, or by purifying (puddling) cast iron in a reverberatory furnace or refinery. It is tough, malleable, and ductile. When formed into bars, it is called bar iron.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Iron I"ron ([imac]"[u^]rn), a. [AS. [=i]ren, [=i]sen. See Iron, n.] 1. Of, or made of iron; consisting of iron; as, an iron bar, dust. 2. Resembling iron in color; as, iron blackness. 3. Like iron in hardness, strength, impenetrability, power of endurance, insensibility, etc.; as: (a) Rude; hard; harsh; severe. Iron years of wars and dangers. --Rowe. Jove crushed the nations with an iron rod. --Pope. (b) Firm; robust; enduring; as, an iron constitution. (c) Inflexible; unrelenting; as, an iron will. (d) Not to be broken; holding or binding fast; tenacious. ``Him death's iron sleep oppressed.'' --Philips. Note: Iron is often used in composition, denoting made of iron, relating to iron, of or with iron; producing iron, etc.; resembling iron, literally or figuratively, in some of its properties or characteristics; as, iron-shod, iron-sheathed, iron-fisted, iron-framed, iron-handed, iron-hearted, iron foundry or iron-foundry. Iron age. (a) (Myth.) The age following the golden, silver, and bronze ages, and characterized by a general degeneration of talent and virtue, and of literary excellence. In Roman literature the Iron Age is commonly regarded as beginning after the taking of Rome by the Goths, A. D. 410. (b) (Arch[ae]ol.) That stage in the development of any people characterized by the use of iron implements in the place of the more cumbrous stone and bronze. Iron cement, a cement for joints, composed of cast-iron borings or filings, sal ammoniac, etc. Iron clay (Min.), a yellowish clay containing a large proportion of an ore of iron. Iron cross, a Prussian order of military merit; also, the decoration of the order. Iron crown, a golden crown set with jewels, belonging originally to the Lombard kings, and indicating the dominion of Italy. It was so called from containing a circle said to have been forged from one of the nails in the cross of Christ. Iron flint (Min.), an opaque, flintlike, ferruginous variety of quartz. Iron founder, a maker of iron castings. Iron foundry, the place where iron castings are made. Iron furnace, a furnace for reducing iron from the ore, or for melting iron for castings, etc.; a forge; a reverberatory; a bloomery. Iron glance (Min.), hematite. Iron hat, a headpiece of iron or steel, shaped like a hat with a broad brim, and used as armor during the Middle Ages. Iron horse, a locomotive engine. [Colloq.] Iron liquor, a solution of an iron salt, used as a mordant by dyers. Iron man (Cotton Manuf.), a name for the self-acting spinning mule. Iron mold or mould, a yellow spot on cloth stained by rusty iron. Iron ore (Min.), any native compound of iron from which the metal may be profitably extracted. The principal ores are magnetite, hematite, siderite, limonite, G["o]thite, turgite, and the bog and clay iron ores. Iron pyrites (Min.), common pyrites, or pyrite. See Pyrites. Iron sand, an iron ore in grains, usually the magnetic iron ore, formerly used to sand paper after writing. Iron scale, the thin film which on the surface of wrought iron in the process of forging. It consists essentially of the magnetic oxide of iron, Fe3O4>. Iron works, a furnace where iron is smelted, or a forge, rolling mill, or foundry, where it is made into heavy work, such as shafting, rails, cannon, merchant bar, etc.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Iron I"ron ([imac]"[u^]rn), a. [AS. [=i]ren, [=i]sen. See Iron, n.] 1. Of, or made of iron; consisting of iron; as, an iron bar, dust. 2. Resembling iron in color; as, iron blackness. 3. Like iron in hardness, strength, impenetrability, power of endurance, insensibility, etc.; as: (a) Rude; hard; harsh; severe. Iron years of wars and dangers. --Rowe. Jove crushed the nations with an iron rod. --Pope. (b) Firm; robust; enduring; as, an iron constitution. (c) Inflexible; unrelenting; as, an iron will. (d) Not to be broken; holding or binding fast; tenacious. ``Him death's iron sleep oppressed.'' --Philips. Note: Iron is often used in composition, denoting made of iron, relating to iron, of or with iron; producing iron, etc.; resembling iron, literally or figuratively, in some of its properties or characteristics; as, iron-shod, iron-sheathed, iron-fisted, iron-framed, iron-handed, iron-hearted, iron foundry or iron-foundry. Iron age. (a) (Myth.) The age following the golden, silver, and bronze ages, and characterized by a general degeneration of talent and virtue, and of literary excellence. In Roman literature the Iron Age is commonly regarded as beginning after the taking of Rome by the Goths, A. D. 410. (b) (Arch[ae]ol.) That stage in the development of any people characterized by the use of iron implements in the place of the more cumbrous stone and bronze. Iron cement, a cement for joints, composed of cast-iron borings or filings, sal ammoniac, etc. Iron clay (Min.), a yellowish clay containing a large proportion of an ore of iron. Iron cross, a Prussian order of military merit; also, the decoration of the order. Iron crown, a golden crown set with jewels, belonging originally to the Lombard kings, and indicating the dominion of Italy. It was so called from containing a circle said to have been forged from one of the nails in the cross of Christ. Iron flint (Min.), an opaque, flintlike, ferruginous variety of quartz. Iron founder, a maker of iron castings. Iron foundry, the place where iron castings are made. Iron furnace, a furnace for reducing iron from the ore, or for melting iron for castings, etc.; a forge; a reverberatory; a bloomery. Iron glance (Min.), hematite. Iron hat, a headpiece of iron or steel, shaped like a hat with a broad brim, and used as armor during the Middle Ages. Iron horse, a locomotive engine. [Colloq.] Iron liquor, a solution of an iron salt, used as a mordant by dyers. Iron man (Cotton Manuf.), a name for the self-acting spinning mule. Iron mold or mould, a yellow spot on cloth stained by rusty iron. Iron ore (Min.), any native compound of iron from which the metal may be profitably extracted. The principal ores are magnetite, hematite, siderite, limonite, G["o]thite, turgite, and the bog and clay iron ores. Iron pyrites (Min.), common pyrites, or pyrite. See Pyrites. Iron sand, an iron ore in grains, usually the magnetic iron ore, formerly used to sand paper after writing. Iron scale, the thin film which on the surface of wrought iron in the process of forging. It consists essentially of the magnetic oxide of iron, Fe3O4>. Iron works, a furnace where iron is smelted, or a forge, rolling mill, or foundry, where it is made into heavy work, such as shafting, rails, cannon, merchant bar, etc.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Iron I"ron, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ironed; p. pr. & vb. n. Ironing.] 1. To smooth with an instrument of iron; especially, to smooth, as cloth, with a heated flatiron; -- sometimes used with out. 2. To shackle with irons; to fetter or handcuff. ``Ironed like a malefactor.'' --Sir W. Scott. 3. To furnish or arm with iron; as, to iron a wagon.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Iron I"ron ([imac]"[u^]rn), n. (Golf) An iron-headed club with a deep face, chiefly used in making approaches, lifting a ball over hazards, etc.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(irons, ironing, ironed) Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English. 1. Iron is an element which usually takes the form of a hard, dark grey metal. It is used to make steel, and also forms part of many tools, buildings, and vehicles. Very small amounts of iron occur in your blood and in food. The huge, iron gate was locked. ...the highest grade iron ore deposits in the world... N-UNCOUNT: oft N n see also cast-iron 2. An iron is an electrical device with a flat metal base. You heat it until the base is hot, then rub it over clothes to remove creases. N-COUNT 3. If you iron clothes, you remove the creases from them using an iron. She used to iron his shirts... ...a freshly ironed shirt. VERB: V n, V-ed • ironing I managed to get all the ironing done this morning. 4. You can use iron to describe the character or behaviour of someone who is very firm in their decisions and actions, or who can control their feelings well. ...a man of icy nerve and iron will... ADJ: ADJ n 5. Iron is used in expressions such as an iron hand and iron discipline to describe strong, harsh, or unfair methods of control which do not allow people much freedom. He died in 1985 after ruling Albania with an iron fist for 40 years. ADJ: ADJ n 6. If someone has a lot of irons in the fire, they are involved in several different activities or have several different plans. PHRASE

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Tubal-Cain is the first-mentioned worker in iron (Gen. 4:22). The Egyptians wrought it at Sinai before the Exodus. David prepared it in great abundance for the temple (1 Chr. 22:3: 29:7). The merchants of Dan and Javan brought it to the market of Tyre (Ezek. 27:19). Various instruments are mentioned as made of iron (Deut. 27:5; 19:5; Josh. 17:16, 18; 1 Sam. 17:7; 2 Sam. 12:31; 2 Kings 6:5, 6; 1 Chr. 22:3; Isa. 10:34).

Figuratively, a yoke of iron (Deut. 28:48) denotes hard service; a rod of iron (Ps. 2:9), a stern government; a pillar of iron (Jer. 1:18), a strong support; a furnace of iron (Deut. 4:20), severe labour; a bar of iron (Job 40:18), strength; fetters of iron (Ps. 107:10), affliction; giving silver for iron (Isa. 60:17), prosperity.

1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue

Money in general. To polish the king's iron with one's eyebrows; to look out of grated or prison windows, or, as the Irishman expresses them, the iron glass windows. Iron doublet; a prison. See STONE DOUBLET.

Moby Thesaurus

Gibraltar, Oregon boat, adamant, adamantine, aluminum, americium, aureate, barium, beryllium, bicycle, bike, bilbo, bismuth, bond, bonds, bone, brass, brassy, brazen, brick, bridle, bronze, bronzy, buff, buffer, cadmium, calcium, calender, camisole, cast-iron, cement, cerium, cesium, chains, chamois, chopper, chrome, chromium, cobalt, collar, concrete, copper, coppery, cuffs, cupreous, cuprous, cycle, diamond, dour, drag, dysprosium, erbium, europium, ferrous, ferruginous, fetter, fetters, firm, flint, flinty, fundamentalist, gadolinium, gag, gallium, germanium, gilt, glazer, gold, gold-filled, gold-plated, golden, goose, grader, granite, grim, gyves, halter, hamper, handcuffs, hard, hard-core, harrow, heart of oak, hidebound, hobbles, holmium, hopples, horse, hot-press, immovable, immutable, implacable, impliable, indium, inelastic, inexorable, inflexible, intransigent, iridium, ironbound, ironclad, ironhanded, ironlike, irons, irreconcilable, lanthanum, lead, leaden, leading strings, leash, lion, lithium, lutetium, magnesia, magnesium, manacle, manganese, mangle, marble, mercurial, mercurous, mercury, minibike, molybdenum, motocycle, motorbike, motorcycle, muscle-bound, muzzle, nails, neodymium, nickel, nickelic, nickeline, niobium, oak, obdurate, obstinate, orthodox, osmium, ox, palladium, pedicab, pewter, pewtery, phosphorus, pig, pillory, plane, platinum, polisher, polonium, potassium, praseodymium, press, procrustean, promethium, protactinium, purist, puristic, puritan, puritanic, quicksilver, radium, reins, relentless, restraint, restraints, rhenium, rigid, rigorist, rigoristic, rigorous, road-bike, rock, rock-ribbed, rockbound, roll, roller, rolling pin, rubidium, ruthenium, samarium, sander, scandium, shackle, silver, silver-plated, silvery, sodium, steamroller, steel, steely, stern, stiff, stocks, stone, straightjacket, straightlaced, strait-waistcoat, straitjacket, straitlaced, stranglehold, strontium, stubborn, tantalum, technetium, terbium, tether, thallium, thulium, tin, tinny, titanium, trail bike, trammel, trammels, tricycle, trike, trowel, tungsten, unaffected, unalterable, unbending, unchangeable, uncompromising, ungiving, unmoved, unrelenting, unyielding, uranium, vanadium, wheel, wolfram, wringer, yoke, ytterbium, yttrium, zinc, zirconium