andiron

[and-ahy-ern]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR andiron ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

one of a pair of metal stands, usually of iron or brass, for holding logs in a fireplace.

Origin of andiron

1250–1300; Middle English aundyr(n)e, Anglo-French aundyre, with the 2nd syllable taken as Middle English ire, iren iron < Old French andier, allegedly < Gaulish *anderos young animal (through known use of animals’ heads as decorations on andirons), though supposed relation between this word and Middle Welsh anneir, Breton annoer heifer, Old Irish ainder young woman, poses serious phonetic problems

Regional variation note

See dog iron, firedog.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for andiron

dog, firedog

Examples from the Web for andiron

Historical Examples of andiron

He hit it against the andiron to knock the ashes off, and plunged it into the mixture.
Ben Comee
M. J. (Michael Joseph) Canavan
He was looking at the elevated portions of the andiron which were invisible to me.
The Sleuth of St. James's Square
Melville Davisson Post
An andiron, a wash-tub, is the result of an idea that did not exist before.
Mark Twain's Speeches
Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
Fastening the frame to the andiron is done with a stud and bolt.
The Library of Work and Play: Working in Metals
Charles Conrad Sleffel
The stand is finished to correspond with the andiron and fire tools.
The Library of Work and Play: Working in Metals
Charles Conrad Sleffel

British Dictionary definitions for andiron

andiron

noun

another name for firedog

Word Origin for andiron

C14: from Old French andier, of unknown origin; influenced by iron

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for andiron

c.1300, from Old French andier, of unknown origin, perhaps from Gaulish *andero- "a young bull" (cf. Welsh anner "heifer"), which would make sense if they once had bull's heads cast onto them. Altered by influence of Middle English iren (see iron (n.)).