iron

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English īsern, īren; akin to Old High German īsarn 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