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.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

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

Examples from the Web for andiron

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
Fire tools form part of the andiron set and are used for grate fires or open hearth fires of either coal or wood.
The Library of Work and Play: Working in Metals|Charles Conrad Sleffel
The dog stretched himself before one andiron; the cat squat down before the other.
The Portland Sketch Book|Various
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

Notice that the last two links show an opening just wide enough to allow them to be slipped into the rings of the andiron.
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

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.)).