andiron

[ and-ahy-ern ]

/ ˈændˌaɪ ərn /

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noun

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

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Origin of andiron

1250–1300; Middle English aundyr(n)e,Anglo-French aundyre, with the 2nd syllable taken as Middle English ire, ireniron <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 variations of andiron

See dog iron, firedog.

Words nearby andiron

and how!, Andhra Pradesh, andiamo, Andie, Andijon, andiron, Andizhan, Andong, and/or, andoroba, Andorra

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use andiron in a sentence

Moodily he stood there, one hand on the high mantel shelf, one foot upon an andiron, his eyes upon the flames.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
Andiron, and′ī-urn, n. the iron bars which support the ends of the logs in a wood fire, or in which a spit turns.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)|Various
The dog stretched himself before one andiron; the cat squat down before the other.
The Portland Sketch Book|Various
Chenet is the French expression, an andiron, or dog-iron, as it is sometimes called.
The Atlantic Monthly, Vol. 13, No. 76, February, 1864|Various

A mug of cider stood near one andiron; leaning against the other was a flat stone,—the Squire's "Simon."
The Atlantic Monthly, Vol. 13, No. 78, April, 1864|Various

British Dictionary definitions for andiron

andiron

/ (ˈændˌaɪən) /

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

andiron

Origin of andiron

regional variations of andiron

Words nearby andiron

Words related to andiron

How to use andiron in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for andiron

Word Origin for andiron