i·ron
(ī′ərn)n.1. Symbol Fe A silvery-white, lustrous, malleable, ductile, magnetic or magnetizable, metallic element occurring abundantly in combined forms, notably in hematite, limonite, magnetite, and taconite, and used alloyed in a wide range of important structural materials. Atomic number 26; atomic weight 55.845; melting point 1,538°C; boiling point 2,861°C; specific gravity 7.874 (at 20°C); valence 2, 3, 4, 6. See
Periodic Table.
2. An implement made of iron alloy or similar metal, especially a bar heated for use in branding, curling hair, or cauterizing.
3. Great hardness or strength; firmness: a will of iron.
4. Sports Any of a series of golf clubs having a bladelike metal head and numbered from one to nine in order of increasing loft.
5. A metal appliance with a handle and a weighted flat bottom, used when heated to press wrinkles from fabric.
6. A harpoon.
7. irons Fetters; shackles.
8. A tonic, pill, or other medication containing iron and taken as a dietary supplement.
adj.1. Made of or containing iron: iron bars; an iron alloy.
2. Strong, healthy, and capable of great endurance: an iron constitution.
3. Inflexible; unyielding: iron resolve.
4. Holding tightly; very firm: has an iron grip.
v. i·roned, i·ron·ing, i·rons
v.tr.1. a. To press and smooth with a heated iron: iron clothes.
b. To remove (creases) by pressing.
2. To put into irons; fetter.
3. To fit or clad with iron.
Phrasal Verb: iron out To settle through discussion or compromise; work out.
Idioms: in irons Nautical Lying head to the wind without steerageway and thus unable to turn either way.
iron in the fire An undertaking or project in progress: has many irons in the fire this year.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
iron
(ˈaɪən) n1. (Elements & Compounds)
a. a malleable ductile silvery-white ferromagnetic metallic element occurring principally in haematite and magnetite. It is widely used for structural and engineering purposes. Symbol: Fe; atomic no: 26; atomic wt: 55.847; valency: 2,3,4, or 6; relative density: 7.874; melting pt: 1538°C; boiling pt: 2862°C. See also
steel,
cast iron,
wrought iron,
pig ironferricferrousferro-
b. (as modifier): iron railings.
2. (Tools) any of certain tools or implements made of iron or steel, esp for use when hot: a grappling iron; a soldering iron.
3. (Tools) an appliance for pressing fabrics using dry heat or steam, esp a small electrically heated device with a handle and a weighted flat bottom
4. (Golf) any of various golf clubs with narrow metal heads, numbered from 1 to 9 according to the slant of the face, used esp for approach shots: a No. 6 iron.
5. (Fishing) an informal word for
harpoon1 6. slang US a splintlike support for a malformed leg
7. great hardness, strength, or resolve: a will of iron.
10. strike while the iron is hot to act at an opportune moment
adj11. very hard, immovable, or implacable: iron determination.
12. very strong; extremely robust: an iron constitution.
13. cruel or unyielding: he ruled with an iron hand.
14. an iron fist a cruel and unyielding attitude or approach. See also
velvet6 vb15. (Clothing & Fashion) to smooth (clothes or fabric) by removing (creases or wrinkles) using a heated iron; press
16. (tr) to furnish or clothe with iron
17. (tr) rare to place (a prisoner) in irons
[Old English irēn; related to Old High German īsan, Old Norse jārn; compare Old Irish īarn]
ˈironer n
ˈironless adj
ˈironˌlike adj
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
i•ron
(ˈaɪ ərn)
n. 1. a ductile, malleable, silver-white metallic element, used in its impure carbon-containing forms for making tools, implements, machinery, etc.
Symbol: Fe;
at. wt.: 55.847;
at. no.: 26;
sp. gr.: 7.86 at 20°C.
2. something hard, strong, unyielding, or the like: hearts of iron.
3. an instrument, utensil, weapon, etc., made of iron.
4. an appliance with a flat metal bottom, used when heated, as by electricity, to press or smooth clothes, linens, etc.
5. any of a series of nine iron-headed golf clubs having progressively sloped-back faces, used for driving or lofting the ball. Compare
wood 1 (def. 6). 6. a branding iron.
7. a harpoon.
8. irons, shackles or fetters.
9. a sword.
adj. 10. of, containing, or made of iron.
11. resembling iron in firmness, strength, color, etc.
12. stern; harsh; cruel.
13. inflexible; unrelenting.
14. strong; robust; healthy.
15. holding or binding strongly: an iron grip.
v.t. 16. to smooth or press with a heated iron, as clothes or linens.
17. to furnish, mount, or arm with iron.
18. to shackle or fetter with irons.
v.i. 19. to press clothes, linens, etc., with an iron.
20. iron out, to resolve or clear away (difficulties, etc.).
Idioms: irons in the fire, undertakings; projects.
[before 900; Middle English, Old English īren]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.