The Wordsmith Dictionary

I "ron, n. Etym: [OE. iren, AS. iren, isen, isern; akin to D. ijzer,OS. isarn, OHG. isarn, isan, G. eisen, Icel. isarn, jarn, Sw. & Dan. jern, and perh. to E. ice; cf. Ir. iarann, W. haiarn, Armor. houarn.]

1. (Chem. )

Defn: 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 an 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.

Defn: 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.

IRON

I "ron, a. Etym: [AS. iren, isen. 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. 41 . (b ) (Archæol.) 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, Göthite, 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.

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.

IRONBARK TREE

IRONBARK TREE I "ron *bark ` tree `. (Bot. )

Defn: The Australian Eucalyptus Sideroxylon, used largely by carpenters and shipbuilders; -- called also ironwood.

IRONBOUND

IRONBOUND I "ron *bound `, a.

1. Bound as with iron; rugged; as, an ironbound coast.

2. Rigid; unyielding; as, ironbound traditions.

IRON-CASED

IRON-CASED I "ron-cased `, a.

Defn: Cased or covered with iron, as a vessel; ironclad.

IRONCLAD

IRONCLAD I "ron *clad `, a.

1. Clad in iron; protected or covered with iron, as a vessel for naval warfare.

2. Rigorous; severe; exacting; as, an ironclad oath or pledge. [Colloq. ]

IRONCLAD

IRONCLAD I "ron *clad `, n.

Defn: A naval vessel having the parts above water covered and protected by iron or steel usually in large plates closely joined and made sufficiently thick and strong to resist heavy shot.

IRONER

IRONER I "ron *er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, irons.

IRON-FISTED

IRON-FISTED I "ron-fist `ed, a.

Defn: Closefisted; stingy; mean.

IRON-GRAY

IRON-GRAY I "ron-gray `, a.

Defn: Of a gray color, somewhat resembling that of iron freshly broken. -- n.

Defn: An iron-gray color; also, a horse of this color.

IRONHEADS

IRONHEADS I "ron *heads `, n. (Bot. )

Defn: A European composite herb (Centaurea nigra ); -- so called from the resemblance of its knobbed head to an iron ball fixed on a long handle. Dr. Prior.

IRON-HEARTED

IRON-HEARTED I "ron-heart `ed, a.

Defn: Hard-hearted; unfeeling; cruel; as, an iron-hearted master. Cowper.

IRONIC

IRONIC I *ron "ic, a.

Defn: Ironical. Sir T. Herbert.

IRONICAL

I *ron "ic *al, a. Etym: [LL. ironicus, Gr. ironique. See Irony. ]

1. Pertaining to irony; containing, expressing, or characterized by, irony; as, an ironical remark.

2. Addicted to the use of irony; given to irony. -- I *ron "ic *al *ly, adv. -- I *ron "ic *al *ness, n.

IRONING

IRONING I "ron *ing, n.

1. The act or process of smoothing, as clothes, with hot flatirons.

2. The clothes ironed. Ironing board, a flat board, upon which clothes are laid being ironed.

IRONISH

IRONISH I "ron *ish, a.

Defn: Resembling iron, as in taste. Wood.

IRONIST

IRONIST I "ron *ist, n.

Defn: One who uses irony.

IRONMASTER

IRONMASTER I "ron *mas `ter, n.

Defn: A manufacturer of iron, or large dealer therein. Bp. Hurd.

IRONMONGER

IRONMONGER I "ron *mon `ger, n.

Defn: A dealer in iron or hardware.

IRONMONGERY

IRONMONGERY I "ron *mon `ger *y, n.

Defn: Hardware; a general name for all articles made of iron. Gwilt.

IRON-SICK

IRON-SICK I "ron-sick `, a. (Naut. )

Defn: Having the ironwork loose or corroded; -- said of a ship when her bolts and nails are so eaten with rust that she has become leaky.

IRON-SIDED

IRON-SIDED I "ron-sid `ed, a.

Defn: Having iron sides, or very firm sides.

IRONSIDES

IRONSIDES I "ron *sides ", n.

Defn: A cuirassier or cuirassiers; also, hardy veteran soldiers; -- applied specifically to Cromwell's cavalry.

IRONSMITH

IRONSMITH I "ron *smith `, n.

1. A worker in iron; one who makes and repairs utensils of iron; a blacksmith.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: An East Indian barbet (Megalaima faber ), inhabiting the Island of Hainan. The name alludes to its note, which resembles the sounds made by a smith.

IRONSTONE

IRONSTONE I "ron *stone `, n.

Defn: A hard, earthy ore of iron. Clay ironstone. See under Clay. -- Ironstone china, a hard white pottery, first made in England during the 18th century.

IRONWARE

IRONWARE I "ron *ware `, n.

Defn: Articles made of iron, as household utensils, tools, and the like.

IRONWEED

IRONWEED I "ron *weed `, n. (Bot. )

Defn: A tall weed with purplish flowers (Vernonia Noveboracensis ). The name is also applied to other plants of the same genus.

IRONWOOD

IRONWOOD I "ron *wood `, n. (Bot. )

Defn: A tree unusually hard, strong, or heavy wood.

Note: In the United States, the hornbeam and the hop hornbeam are so called; also the Olneya Tesota, a small tree of Arizona; in the West Indies, the Erythroxylon areolatum, and several other unrelated trees; in China, the Metrosideros vera; in India, the Mesua ferrea,and two species of Inga; in Australia, the Eucalyptus Sideroxylon, and in many countries, species of Sideroxylon and Diospyros, and many other trees.

IRONWORK

IRONWORK I "ron *work `, n.

Defn: Anything made of iron; -- a general name of such parts or pieces of a building, vessel, carriage, etc. , as consist of iron.

IRON WORKS

IRON WORKS I "ron works `

Defn:. See under Iron, a.

IRONWORT

IRONWORT I "ron *wort `, n. (Bot. )

Defn: An herb of the Mint family (Sideritis ), supposed to heal sword cuts; also, a species of Galeopsis.

IRONY

I "ron *y, a. Etym: [From Iron. ]

1. Made or consisting of iron; partaking of iron; iron; as, irony chains; irony particles. [R.] Woodward.

2. Resembling iron taste, hardness, or other physical property.

IRONY

I "ron *y, n.Etym: [L. ironia, Gr. word: cf. F. ironie. ]

1. Dissimulation; ignorance feigned for the purpose of confounding or provoking an antagonist.

2. A sort of humor, ridicule, or light sarcasm, which adopts a mode of speech the meaning of which is contrary to the literal sense of the words.

New American Oxford Dictionary

iron

i ron |ˈīərn ˈaɪ (ə )rn | ▶noun 1 a strong, hard magnetic silvery-gray metal, the chemical element of atomic number 26, much used as a material for construction and manufacturing, esp. in the form of steel. (Symbol: Fe ) • compounds of this metal, esp. as a component of the diet: serve liver as it's a good source of iron | [ as modifier ] : how are your iron levels? • used figuratively as a symbol or type of firmness, strength, or resistance: her father had a will of iron | [ as modifier ] : the iron grip of religion on minority cultures. Iron is widely distributed as ores such as hematite, magnetite, and siderite, and the earth's core is believed to consist largely of metallic iron and nickel. Besides steel, other important forms of the metal are cast iron and wrought iron. Chemically a transition element, iron is a constituent of some biological molecules, notably hemoglobin. 2 a tool or implement now or originally made of iron: a caulking iron. • (irons ) fetters or handcuffs. • informal a handgun. 3 a handheld implement with a flat steel base that is heated (typically with electricity ) to smooth clothes, sheets, etc. 4 a golf club with a metal head (typically with a numeral indicating the degree to which the head is angled in order to loft the ball ). 5 Astronomy (also iron meteorite ) a meteorite containing a high proportion of iron. ▶verb [ with obj. ] smooth (clothes, sheets, etc. ) with an iron. PHRASES have many (or other ) irons in the fire have many (or a range of ) options or courses of action available or be involved in many activities or commitments at the same time. in irons 1 having the feet or hands fettered. 2 (of a sailing vessel ) stalled head to wind and unable to come about or tack either way. iron hand (or fist ) used to refer to firmness or ruthlessness of attitude or behavior: Fascism's iron hand. an iron hand (or fist ) in a velvet glove firmness or ruthlessness cloaked in outward gentleness. PHRASAL VERBS iron something out solve or settle difficulties or problems: they had ironed out their differences. DERIVATIVES i ron er noun, i ron like |-ˌlīk |adjective ORIGIN Old English īren, īsen, īsern, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch ijzer and German Eisen, and probably ultimately from Celtic.

Iron Age

I ron Age |ˈaɪ (ə )rn ˌeɪʤ | 1 a period that followed the Bronze Age, when weapons and tools came to be made of iron. The Iron Age is conventionally taken as beginning in the early 1st millennium bc, but iron-working began with the Hittites in Anatolia in c. 1400 bc. In much of Europe it ended at the Roman period, but outside the Roman Empire it continued to the 4th –6th centuries ad . 2 (in Greek and Roman mythology ) the last and worst age of the world, a time of wickedness and oppression.

ironbark

i ron bark |ˈīərnˌbärk ˈaɪərnbɑrk | ▶noun an Australian eucalyptus tree with thick, solid bark and hard, dense, durable timber. [Genus Eucalyptus, family Myrtaceae: several species. ]

ironbound

i ron bound |ˈīərnˈbound ˈaɪərnbaʊnd | ▶adjective bound with iron: a massive ironbound chest. • rigorous; inflexible: ironbound rules. • archaic (of a coast ) faced or enclosed with rocks.

Iron Chancellor

I ron Chan cel lor see Bismarck, Otto von.

ironclad

i ron clad |ˈīərnˌklad ˈaɪərnklæd | ▶adjective covered or protected with iron. • impossible to contradict, weaken, or change: an ironclad guarantee. ▶noun |ˈʌɪənklad | historical a 19th -century warship with armor plating.

Iron Cross

I ron Cross ▶noun the highest German military decoration for bravery, instituted in 1813.

Iron Curtain

I ron Cur tain ▶noun the notional barrier separating the former Soviet bloc and the West prior to the decline of communism that followed the political events in eastern Europe in 1989.

Iron Duke

I ron Duke see Wellington, 1st Duke of.

Iron Gate

I ron Gate a gorge through which a section of the Danube River flows and forms part of the boundary between Romania and Serbia. Navigation was improved by means of a ship canal constructed through it in 1896. Romanian name Porţile de Fier, Serbian name Gvozdena Vrata.

iron gray

i ron gray ▶noun a dark gray color. • a horse of this color.

Iron Guard

I ron Guard a fascist Romanian political party that was founded in 1927 and ceased to exist after World War II.

iron horse

i ron horse ▶noun literary a steam locomotive. • (Iron Horse ) see Gehrig, Lou.

ironic

i ron ic |īˈränik aɪˈrɑnɪk | ▶adjective using or characterized by irony: his mouth curved into an ironic smile. • happening in the opposite way to what is expected, and typically causing wry amusement because of this: [ with clause ] : it was ironic that now that everybody had plenty of money for food, they couldn't obtain it because everything was rationed. DERIVATIVES i ron i cal adjective ORIGIN mid 17th cent.: from French ironique or late Latin ironicus, from Greek eirōnikos ‘dissembling, feigning ignorance, ’ from eirōneia (see irony 1 ).

ironically

i ron i cal ly |īˈränik (ə )lē aɪˈrɑnək (ə )li | ▶adverb in an ironic manner. • used to denote a paradoxical, unexpected, or coincidental situation: [ sentence adverb ] : ironically, the rescue craft that saved her was the boat she was helping to pay for.

ironing

i ron ing |ˈīərniNG ˈaɪ (ə )rnɪŋ | ▶noun the task of ironing clothes, sheets, etc. • clothes, sheets, etc. , that need to be or have just been ironed.

ironing board

i ron ing board |ˈaɪ (ə )rnɪŋ ˌbɔ (ə )rd | ▶noun a long, narrow board covered with soft material and having folding legs, on which clothes, sheets, etc. , are ironed.

ironist

i ro nist |ˈīrənist, ˈīərnist ˈaɪrənəst | ▶noun a person who uses irony. ORIGIN early 18th cent.: from Greek eirōn ‘dissembler ’ + -ist .

ironize

i ro nize |ˈīrəˌnīz, īərˈnīz ˈaɪrənaɪz | ▶verb [ with obj. ] use ironically: this novel also follows and yet ironizes many of the conventions of the picaresque narrative.

Iron Lady

Iron Lady the nickname of Margaret Thatcher while she was British Prime Minister.

iron lung

i ron lung ▶noun a rigid case fitted over a patient's body, used for administering prolonged artificial respiration by means of mechanical pumps.

iron maiden

i ron maid en ▶noun (in historical contexts ) an instrument of torture consisting of a coffin-shaped box lined with iron spikes.

iron man

i ron man (also ironman ) ▶noun (esp. in sporting contexts ) an exceptionally strong or robust man. • [ often as modifier ] a multi-event sporting contest demanding stamina, in particular a consecutive triathlon of swimming, cycling, and running.

ironmaster

iron |master |ˈʌɪənmɑːstə | ▶noun a manufacturer of iron, especially (in former times ) the proprietor of an ironworks.

iron mold

i ron mold ▶noun a spot caused by rust or an ink stain, esp. on fabric.

ironmonger

i ron mon ger |ˈīərnˌməNGgər, -ˌmäNGgər ˈaɪ (ə )rnˌməŋɡər | ▶noun Brit. a person or store selling hardware such as tools and household implements. DERIVATIVES i ron mon ger y |-g (ə )rē |noun ( pl. ironmongeries )

iron-on

i ron-on ▶adjective [ attrib. ] able to be fixed to the surface of a fabric by ironing: T-shirts with iron-on transfers.

iron ore

i ron ore ▶noun a rock or mineral from which iron can be profitably extracted.

iron pan

iron pan ▶noun Geology a hardpan in which iron oxides are the chief cementing agents.

iron rations

iron ra ¦tions ▶plural noun a small emergency supply of food.

Ironsides

I ron sides |ˈīərnˌsīdz ˈaɪərnsaɪdz | ▶noun 1 a nickname for Oliver Cromwell. 2 (ironsides ) historical an ironclad.

ironstone

i ron stone |ˈīərnˌstōn ˈaɪ (ə )rnˌstoʊn | ▶noun 1 sedimentary rock containing a substantial proportion of iron compounds. 2 [ usu. as modifier ] a kind of dense, opaque stoneware.

ironware

i ron ware |ˈīərnˌwer ˈaɪərnwɛr | ▶noun articles made of iron, typically domestic implements.

ironwood

i ron wood |ˈīərnˌwo͝od ˈaɪərnwʊd | ▶noun 1 any of a number of trees that produce very hard timber, in particular: [● a southern African tree of the olive family (Olea laurifolia, family Oleaceae ). ● another term for the American hornbeam and the eastern hornbeam (see hornbeam ). ] 2 see titi 2.

ironwork

i ron work |ˈīərnˌwərk ˈaɪ (ə )rnˌwərk | ▶noun articles or parts made of iron. DERIVATIVES i ron work ing noun

ironworks

i ron works |ˈīərnˌwərks ˈaɪ (ə )rnˌwərks | ▶noun [ treated as sing. or pl. ] a place where iron is smelted or iron goods are made.

irony

i ro ny 1 |ˈīrənē, ˈiərnē ˈaɪrəni | ▶noun ( pl. ironies ) the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect: “Don't go overboard with the gratitude, ” he rejoined with heavy irony. • a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result: [ with clause ] : the irony is that I thought he could help me. • (also dramatic or tragic irony ) a literary technique, originally used in Greek tragedy, by which the full significance of a character's words or actions are clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the character. ORIGIN early 16th cent. (also denoting Socratic irony ): via Latin from Greek eirōneia ‘simulated ignorance, ’ from eirōn ‘dissembler. ’

irony

i ro ny 2 |ˈīərnē ˈaɪrəni | ▶adjective of or like iron: an irony gray color.

Oxford Dictionary

iron

iron |ˈʌɪən | ▶noun 1 [ mass noun ] a strong, hard magnetic silvery-grey metal, the chemical element of atomic number 26, much used as a material for construction and manufacturing, especially in the form of steel. (Symbol: Fe ) • used figuratively as a symbol or type of firmness, strength, or resistance: her father had a will of iron | [ as modifier ] : the iron grip of religion on minority cultures. Iron is widely distributed as ores such as haematite, magnetite, and siderite, and the earth's core is believed to consist largely of metallic iron and nickel. Besides steel, other important forms of the metal are cast iron and wrought iron. Chemically a transition element, iron is a constituent of some biological molecules, notably haemoglobin. 2 a tool or implement now or originally made of iron: a caulking iron. • (irons ) fetters or handcuffs. • (irons ) metal supports for a malformed leg. • (irons ) informal stirrups. 3 a handheld implement, typically an electrical one, with a heated flat steel base, used to smooth clothes, sheets, etc. 4 a golf club with a metal head (typically with a numeral indicating the degree to which the head is angled in order to loft the ball ): [ in combination ] : a four-iron. • a shot made with an iron. 5 Astronomy a meteorite containing a high proportion of iron. ▶verb [ with obj. ] smooth (clothes, sheets, etc. ) with an iron. PHRASES have many (or other ) irons in the fire have a range of options or courses of action available, or be involved in many activities or commitments at the same time. in irons 1 having the feet or hands fettered. 2 (of a sailing vessel ) stalled head to wind and unable to come about or tack either way. iron hand (or fist ) used to refer to firmness or ruthlessness of attitude or behaviour: he ruled with an iron hand. an iron hand (or fist ) in a velvet glove firmness or ruthlessness cloaked in outward gentleness. PHRASAL VERBS iron something out solve or settle difficulties or problems: they had ironed out their differences. DERIVATIVES ironer noun, iron-like adjective ORIGIN Old English īren, īsen, īsern, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch ijzer and German Eisen, and probably ultimately from Celtic.

Iron Age

Iron Age a prehistoric period that followed the Bronze Age, when weapons and tools came to be made of iron. The Iron Age is conventionally taken as beginning in the early 1st millennium bc, but iron-working began with the Hittites in Anatolia in c. 1400 bc. Its arrival in Britain was associated with the first Celtic immigrants in about the 6th century bc. In much of Europe it ended at the Roman period, but outside the Roman Empire it continued to the 4th –6th centuries ad .

ironbark

iron |bark |ˈʌɪənbɑːk | ▶noun an Australian eucalyptus tree with thick, solid bark and hard, dense, durable timber. ●Genus Eucalyptus, family Myrtaceae: several species, including the grey ironbark (E. paniculata ).

iron-bound

iron-bound ▶adjective bound with iron: an old iron-bound chest. • rigorous or inflexible: iron-bound rules. • archaic (of a coast ) faced or enclosed with rocks.

Iron Chancellor

Iron Chancellor see Bismarck, Otto von.

ironclad

Iron Cross

Iron Cross ▶noun the highest German military decoration for bravery, instituted in 1813.

Iron Curtain

Iron Curtain ▶noun (the Iron Curtain ) a notional barrier separating the former Soviet bloc and the West prior to the decline of communism that followed the political events in eastern Europe in 1989.

Iron Duke

Iron Duke see Wellington, 1st Duke of .

Iron Gate

Iron Gate a gorge through which a section of the River Danube flows, forming part of the boundary between Romania and Serbia. Navigation was improved by means of a ship canal constructed through it in 1896. Romanian name Porţile de Fier, Serbian name Gvozdena Vrata.

iron grey

iron grey ▶noun [ mass noun ] a dark grey colour.

Iron Guard

Iron Guard a fascist Romanian political party that was founded in 1927 and ceased to exist after the Second World War.

iron horse

iron horse ▶noun literary a steam railway locomotive.

ironic

ironic |ʌɪˈrɒnɪk | ▶adjective using or characterized by irony: his mouth curved into an ironic smile. • happening in a way contrary to what is expected, and typically causing wry amusement because of this: [ with clause ] : it was ironic that now everybody had plenty of money for food they couldn't obtain it because everything was rationed. DERIVATIVES ironical adjective ORIGIN mid 17th cent.: from French ironique or late Latin ironicus, from Greek eirōnikos ‘dissembling, feigning ignorance ’, from eirōneia (see irony 1 ).

ironically

iron ¦ic |al ¦ly |ʌɪˈrɒnɪkli | ▶adverb in an ironic manner: ‘How very noble, ’ Oliver said ironically. • used in reference to a paradoxical, unexpected, or coincidental situation: [ sentence adverb ] : ironically, the rescue craft which saved her was the boat she was helping to pay for.

ironing

iron |ing |ˈʌɪənɪŋ | ▶noun [ mass noun ] the activity or task of ironing clothes, sheets, etc. • clothes, sheets, etc. that need to be or have just been ironed.

ironing board

iron |ing board ▶noun a long, narrow board covered with soft material and having folding legs, on which clothes, sheets, etc. are ironed.

ironist

ironist |ˈʌɪr (ə )nɪst | ▶noun a person who uses irony.

ironize

ironize |ˈʌɪr (ə )nʌɪz |(also ironise ) ▶verb [ with obj. ] use ironically: this novel follows and yet ironizes many of the conventions of the picaresque narrative.

Iron Lady

Iron Lady the nickname of Margaret Thatcher while she was British Prime Minister.

iron lung

iron lung ▶noun a rigid case fitted over a patient's body, used for administering prolonged artificial respiration by means of mechanical pumps.

iron maiden

iron maid ¦en ▶noun (in historical contexts ) an instrument of torture consisting of a coffin-shaped box lined with iron spikes.

iron man

iron man |ˈʌɪənman | ▶noun (especially in sporting contexts ) an exceptionally strong or robust man. • [ often as modifier ] trademark ( Ironman ) a multi-event sporting contest demanding stamina, in particular a consecutive triathlon of swimming, cycling, and running.

ironmaster

iron |master |ˈʌɪənmɑːstə | ▶noun a manufacturer of iron, especially (in former times ) the proprietor of an ironworks.

ironmonger

iron |mon ¦ger |ˈʌɪənmʌŋgə | ▶noun Brit. a person or shop selling hardware such as tools and household implements. DERIVATIVES ironmongery noun ( pl. ironmongeries )

iron mould

iron mould (US iron mold ) ▶noun a spot caused by rust or an ink stain, especially on fabric.

iron-on

iron-on ▶adjective able to be fixed to the surface of a fabric by ironing.

iron ore

iron ore ▶noun [ mass noun ] a rock or mineral from which iron can be profitably extracted.

iron pan

iron pan ▶noun Geology a hardpan in which iron oxides are the chief cementing agents.

iron pyrites

iron pyr |ites ▶noun see pyrites.

iron rations

iron ra ¦tions ▶plural noun a small emergency supply of food.

Ironsides

Iron |sides |ˈʌɪənsʌɪdz | a nickname for Oliver Cromwell. • [ as plural noun ] (in the English Civil War ) Cromwell's cavalry troopers, so called by their Royalist opponents in allusion to their hardiness in battle.

ironstone

iron |stone |ˈʌɪənstəʊn | ▶noun [ mass noun ] 1 sedimentary rock containing a substantial proportion of iron compounds. 2 [ usu. as modifier ] a kind of dense, opaque stoneware.

ironware

iron |ware |ˈʌɪənwɛː | ▶noun [ mass noun ] articles made of iron, typically domestic implements.

ironwood

iron |wood |ˈʌɪənwʊd | ▶noun any of a number of trees that produce very hard timber, in particular: ● a southern African tree of the olive family (Olea laurifolia, family Oleaceae ). ● a North American tree related to the hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana, family Betulaceae ).

ironwork

iron |work |ˈʌɪənwəːk | ▶noun [ mass noun ] articles or parts made of iron. DERIVATIVES ironworking noun

ironworks

iron |works |ˈʌɪənwəːks | ▶noun [ treated as sing. or pl. ] a place where iron is smelted or iron goods are made.

irony

irony 1 |ˈʌɪrəni | ▶noun ( pl. ironies ) [ mass noun ] the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect: ‘Don't go overboard with the gratitude, ’ he rejoined with heavy irony. • a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often wryly amusing as a result: the irony is that I thought he could help me | [ count noun ] : one of life's little ironies. • (also dramatic or tragic irony ) a literary technique, originally used in Greek tragedy, by which the full significance of a character's words or actions is clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the character. ORIGIN early 16th cent. (also denoting Socratic irony ): via Latin from Greek eirōneia ‘simulated ignorance ’, from eirōn ‘dissembler ’.

irony

irony 2 |ˈʌɪəni | ▶adjective of or like iron: an irony grey colour.

American Oxford Thesaurus

iron

iron noun 1 a ship built of iron: metal, pig iron, cast iron, wrought iron. 2 (irons ) they were clapped in irons: manacles, shackles, fetters, chains, handcuffs; informal bracelets, cuffs. ▶adjective 1 an iron law of politics: inflexible, unbreakable, absolute, unconditional, categorical, incontrovertible, infallible. ANTONYMS flexible. 2 an iron will: uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding, unbending, resolute, resolved, determined, firm, rigid, steadfast, unwavering, steely; literary adamantine. ANTONYMS flexible. PHRASES iron out it's time we iron out our differences: resolve, straighten out, sort out, smooth out, clear up, settle, put right, solve, remedy, rectify, fix, mend, eliminate, eradicate, erase, get rid of; harmonize, reconcile. WORD LINKS ferric, ferrous relating to or containing iron Word Links sections supply words that are related to the headword but do not normally appear in a thesaurus because they are not actual synonyms.

ironic

ironic adjective 1 Edward's tone was ironic: sarcastic, sardonic, cynical, mocking, satirical, caustic, wry. ANTONYMS sincere. 2 it's ironic that a former illiterate is now a successful writer: paradoxical, incongruous. ANTONYMS logical.

irony

irony noun 1 that note of irony in her voice: sarcasm, causticity, cynicism, mockery, satire, sardonicism. ANTONYMS sincerity. 2 the irony of the situation: paradox, incongruity, incongruousness. ANTONYMS logic.

Oxford Thesaurus

iron

iron noun 1 she needed some iron in her soul: strength, toughness, resilience, fortitude, firmness, robustness, hardiness, steel; informal guts, grit, grittiness, spunk. ANTONYMS weakness. 2 a soldering iron: tool, implement, utensil, device, apparatus, appliance, contrivance, contraption, mechanism. 3 an iron that is too hot will melt nylon: flat iron, electric iron, steam iron, smoothing iron. 4 (irons ) you will be clapped in irons: manacles, shackles, fetters, chains, restraints, handcuffs; informal cuffs, bracelets; rare trammels. ▶adjective 1 an iron key: made of iron; ferric, ferrous. 2 an iron law of politics: inflexible, unbreakable, absolute, unconditional, categorical, unquestionable, incontrovertible, infallible. ANTONYMS flexible. 3 he ruled over his employees with an iron will: uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding, unbending, resolute, resolved, determined, firm, rigid, steadfast, unwavering, unvacillating; stern, strict. ANTONYMS weak, flexible. ▶verb she even used to iron his shirts: press. PHRASES iron something out 1 John had ironed out all the minor snags: resolve, straighten out, sort out, clear up, settle, put right, set right, set to rights, find a solution to, solve, remedy, heal, cure, rectify; informal patch up, fix, mend, clean up, crack, figure out; archaic compose. 2 the new directive will iron out differences in national systems: eliminate, eradicate, erase, get rid of, smooth over; harmonize, reconcile. WORD LINKS iron ferro- related prefix, as in ferroconcrete ferri- related prefix, as in ferrimagnetic sidero- related prefix, as in siderophore Word Links sections supply words that are related to the headword but do not normally appear in a thesaurus because they are not actual synonyms.

ironic

ironic adjective 1 Edward's tone was ironic: sarcastic, sardonic, dry, caustic, sharp, stinging, scathing, acerbic, acid, bitter, trenchant, mordant, cynical; mocking, satirical, scoffing, ridiculing, derisory, derisive, scornful, sneering; wry, double-edged, backhanded, tongue-in-cheek; Brit. informal sarky. ANTONYMS sincere. 2 I just wanted to go out and experience life, so it's ironic that I've ended up writing: paradoxical, incongruous, odd, strange, weird, peculiar, unexpected. ANTONYMS logical, to be expected. CHOOSE THE RIGHT WORD ironic, sarcastic, sardonic, caustic See sarcastic . These notes show fine distinctions in meaning between closely related synonyms to help you find the best word.

irony

irony noun 1 that note of irony in her voice: sarcasm, sardonicism, dryness, causticity, sharpness, acerbity, acid, bitterness, trenchancy, mordancy, cynicism; mockery, satire, ridicule, derision, scorn, sneering; wryness, backhandedness; Brit. informal sarkiness. ANTONYMS sincerity. 2 the irony of the situation hit her: paradox, paradoxical nature, incongruity, incongruousness, peculiarity. ANTONYMS logic.

Duden Dictionary

Ironie

Iro nie Substantiv, feminin , die |Iron ie |die Ironie; Genitiv: der Ironie, Plural: die Ironien < Plural selten > lateinisch ironia < griechisch eirōneía = geheuchelte Unwissenheit, Verstellung; Ironie a feiner, verdeckter Spott, mit dem jemand etwas dadurch zu treffen sucht, dass er es unter dem augenfälligen Schein der eigenen Billigung lächerlich macht eine feine, zarte, bittere, verletzende Ironie | die Ironie aus jemandes Worten heraushören | etwas mit [unverhüllter ] Ironie sagen | ich sage das ohne jede Ironie b paradoxe Konstellation, die einem als Spiel einer höheren Macht erscheint die Ironie einer Situation | die Ironie des Lebens, der Geschichte, des Schicksals

ironiefrei

iro nie frei Adjektiv |iron ie frei |ohne jede Ironie

Ironiker

Iro ni ker Substantiv, maskulin , der |Ir o niker |der Ironiker; Genitiv: des Ironikers, Plural: die Ironiker Mensch mit ironischer Geisteshaltung

Ironikerin

Iro ni ke rin Substantiv, feminin , die |Ir o nikerin |weibliche Form zu Ironiker

ironisch

ironischerweise

iro ni scher wei se Adverb |ir o nischerweise |von Ironie zeugend sie hatten ihren Zwergpinscher ironischerweise »Wotan « getauft

ironisieren

iro ni sie ren schwaches Verb |ironis ie ren |schwaches Verb; Perfektbildung mit »hat « französisch ironiser, zu: ironie < lateinisch ironia, Ironie einer ironischen Betrachtung unterziehen jemanden, sich selbst, ein Problem, eine Schwäche, eine Institution ironisieren

Ironman

Iron man Substantiv, maskulin Sport , der ® |ˈa͜iənmæn |der Ironman; Genitiv: des Ironmans Triathlon über extrem lange Strecken

Irons

Irons Pluralwort , die |ˈa͜iəns |die Irons (Plural ) englisch [Golf ]schläger aus Metall

Ironym

Iro nym Substantiv, Neutrum , das |Iron y m |das Ironym; Genitiv: des Ironyms, Plural: die Ironyme griechisch-neulateinisch ironische Wendung als Deckname z. B.: Von einem sehr Klugen

French Dictionary

ironie

ironie n. f. nom féminin Forme d ’esprit qui consiste à présenter comme vraie une proposition manifestement fausse de façon à faire ressortir son absurdité. Note Sémantique Ne pas confondre avec le nom humour, forme d ’esprit qui ne cherche pas à persuader de la fausseté d ’une idée, mais à créer un doute sur l ’apparence logique du monde ou à mettre en évidence les aspects insolites ou amusants de la réalité.

ironique

ironique adj. adjectif Où il y a de l ’ironie. : Quand le comédien dit adorer Sophie, son ton est ironique: en fait, il ne peut la supporter.

ironiquement

ironiquement adv. adverbe De façon ironique, en se moquant. : On l ’a salué ironiquement.

ironiser

ironiser v. intr. verbe intransitif Railler, se moquer. aimer

Spanish Dictionary

ironía

ironía nombre femenino 1 Modo de expresión o figura retórica que consiste en decir lo contrario de lo que se quiere dar a entender, empleando un tono, una gesticulación o unas palabras que insinúan la interpretación que debe hacerse :la escritora hace un uso de la ironía capaz de descomponer el más sólido sistema de verosimilitud; la chica de la recepción lo había mirado sin ninguna ironía; después de decir que se había duplicado el paupérrimo presupuesto del Festival, añadió con ironía: “Por eso, este año la dirección del Festival no podrá quejarse tanto ”.2 Situación o hecho que resulta ser totalmente contrario a lo que se esperaba o que marca un fuerte contraste con ello :siempre dijo que no trabajaría en su empresa y ahora tiene un cargo directivo: ironías de la vida; para ironía de la historia, los vencidos políticos han resultado vencedores económicos .

irónico, -ca

irónico, -ca adjetivo Que contiene, implica o denota ironía :poesía irónica; tono irónico .

ironista

ironista nombre común Persona que habla o escribe con ironía .

ironizar

ironizar verbo intransitivo Hablar con ironía sobre algo :valiéndose del cómico registro que en boca de Jaimito adquiere su discurso, el autor ironiza sobre la integración en el sistema y su capacidad de absorción . Conjugación [4 ] como realizar .

Sanseido Wisdom Dictionary

iron

i ron /áɪə r n / (! i-は /aɪ /) 〖語源は「神聖なる金属」〗名詞複～s /-z /1 U 鉄〘金属元素; ｟記号｠Fe; 鋼鉄はsteel 〙; (食物血液などに含まれる )鉄分 ; 〘薬〙鉄剤 ▸ a piece of red-hot iron 真っ赤に焼けた鉄片 ▸ wrought [cast ] iron 鍛鉄 [鋳鉄 ]▸ an iron bar [gate ]鉄の棒 [門 ]▸ iron deficiency anemia 鉄欠乏性貧血 ▸ Strike while the iron is hot .｟ことわざ｠鉄は熱いうちに打て〘状況が有利なうちに行動せよの意〙2 C アイロン ▸ smooth wrinkles with a hot steam iron 熱いスチームアイロンでしわを伸ばす 3 C 〖通例複合語で〗こて ; 鉄製の器具, 鉄器 (→branding iron , soldering iron , tire iron ).4 ｟主に文｠〖～s; 複数扱い〗(鉄の )足かせ, 手かせ, 鎖 .5 C 〘ゴルフ〙アイアン (→wood 4 ).6 U (鉄のように )強固なこと ; 冷酷なこと ▸ have a will of iron [an iron will ]鉄のようにかたい意志を持っている have (t ò o ) many [s è veral, ò ther ] í rons in the f ì re 一度にいくつもの [いくつかの ]仕事に手を出している, いくつもの [いくつかの ]計画を持っている .p ù mp í ron ｟くだけて｠(筋力トレーニングのマシーンで )重りを持ち上げる .動詞他動詞〈服など〉にアイロンをかける (press 1 )▸ Linen is best ironed when damp .リンネル製品は湿った状態が一番きれいにアイロンがかかる自動詞 1 アイロンがけをする .2 〖～＋副詞〗〈布などが〉アイロンがかかる (!副詞は様態などの表現 ) .ì ron A ó ut [ó ut A ]1 A 〈しわなど〉をアイロンがけして伸ばす ; A 〈服〉にアイロンをかける ; A 〈でこぼこなど〉をならす .2 ｟話｠A 〈小さな問題障害など〉を除いて円滑にする, 解決する, 処理する ; 調整する, 和らげる .形容詞〖名詞の前で〗1 鉄製の ; 鉄のような (意志の ), 堅固な, 不屈の .2 厳しい, 抑圧的な, 冷酷な〈統治規律など〉.an ì ron f í st [h á nd ] (in a v è lvet gl ó ve )物腰の柔らかさに隠された断固とした意志 [非情さ ].r ù le A with an ì ron h á nd [f í st ]＝rule A with a rod of iron .Í - À ge 1 〖the ～〗〘考古〙鉄器時代 .2 〖the i- a- 〗〘ギ神〙黒鉄時代〘golden [silver, bronze ] ageに続く神代の時代で, 堕落しきった時代〙.Ì - Ch á ncellor 〖the ～〗鉄血宰相〘プロシアの宰相Bismarckの異名〙.Ì - Cr ó ss (ドイツの )鉄十字勲章 .Ì - C ú rtain 〖the ～〗鉄のカーテン〘旧共産圏と西側諸国との間の障壁〙.～́ f ò undry 鋳鉄工場, 製鉄所 .～̀ gr á y 鉄灰色 .～̀ h ó rse ｟古｠機関車 .Ì - L á dy 〖the ～〗鉄の女〘英国の元首相Thatcherの異名〙.～̀ l ú ng 〘医〙鉄の肺〘呼吸補助装置〙.～́ m à n 1 〖単数形で〗鉄人レース, トライアスロン (triathlon ).2 鉄人〘(1 )の競技者やタフな人間をさす〙.～̀ ó xide 酸化鉄 .～̀ p ý rites 黄鉄鉱 (fool's gold ).～̀ r á tions ｟しばしばおどけて｠非常携帯食糧 .

ironclad

ì ron cl á d 形容詞｟主に書｠〖通例名詞の前で〗1 ｟主に米｠一分のすきもない, 鉄壁 [万全 ]の〈備えなど〉; 変更のきかない, 揺るぎない〈規則など〉.2 ｟まれ｠装甲された, 甲鉄の .名詞 C 〘史〙(19世紀の )装甲艦 .

ironic

i ron ic -i cal /aɪ (ə )rɑ́nɪk |-rɔ́n -//-nɪk (ə )l /→irony 形容詞 more ～; most ～1 反語的な , 皮肉な (cynical, sardonic )▸ an ironical compliment 皮肉な世辞 ▸ with an ironic smile (怒りたいのに )逆にほほえみを浮かべて ▸ It's [It seems ] ironic that ……とは皮肉だ ▸ How ironic !(予期せぬ事態に遭遇して驚きをこめて )なんて皮肉なことだ 2 皮肉の好きな .

ironically

i r ó n i cal ly 副詞〖文修飾〗皮肉にも, 皮肉なことに ; 反語的に, 皮肉に ▸ Ironically , dynamite was invented by Alfred Nobel, the founder of the famous peace prize .皮肉な話だが, ダイナマイトを発明したのは著名な平和賞を創設したアルフレッドノーベルだった

ironing

í ron ing 名詞 U アイロンがけ ; アイロンがけする [した ]衣類 .～́ b ò ard アイロン台 .

ironmonger

í ron m ò nger 名詞 C ｟主に英やや古｠金物屋の店主 (｟米｠hardware dealer ); 〖しばしばthe ～〗金物屋 [商 ](｟主に米｠hardware store ) (!～'sともいう ) .

ironmongery

í ron m ò nger y 名詞 U ｟英｠(なべくぎなど家庭園芸用の )金物 [鉄器 ]類, 工具類 (｟米｠hardware ).

ironside

í ron s ì de 名詞 1 C 勇猛な人 .2 〖～s; 単数扱い〗甲鉄艦 .3 〖Ironsides; 単数扱い〗アイアンサイズ〘英国の将軍Cromwellのあだ名, または彼の鉄騎兵〙.

ironstone

í ron st ò ne 名詞 U 1 鉄鉱 (石 ).2 アイアンストーン〘硬質陶器の一種〙.

ironware

í ron w à re 名詞 U 鉄製品 ; 金物 .

ironwork

í ron w ò rk 名詞 1 U 鉄製品 [細工 ], 鉄製部品 [建造物 ]; (建物の )鉄製 (施工 )部分 .2 〖～s; 単複両扱い〗製鉄所, 鉄工所 .

ironworker

í ron w ò rker 名詞 C 製鉄工 ; 金物職人 .

irony

i ro ny /áɪ (ə )r (ə )ni /〖語源は「知らないふりをすること」〗名詞複 -nies /-z /1 U 反語法〘心の中とは反対の言葉を用いる表現 (法 )〙, 皮肉 ; 当てこすり ▸ in bitter irony 辛辣（しんらつ）な皮肉で ▸ Socratic irony ソクラテス的反語法〘無知を装って相手の無知を暴露する方法〙2 C (消防署の火事のような )皮肉な事態 [巡り合わせ ]▸ the irony of fate 運命の皮肉