andiron

American  

[and-ahy-ern] / ˈændˌaɪ ərn /

noun

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

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andiron British  

/ ˈændˌaɪən /

noun

1. another name for firedog

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Regionalisms

See dog iron, firedog.

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

On display in Manhattan's Robinson Galleries last week went a Wheelock retrospective show that started with the dachshund andiron, ended in 1940 with a crisp, stylized figure of Washington at Valley Forge.

From Time Magazine Archive

She falls, strikes her head against a fraternity andiron.

From Time Magazine Archive

His interference, however, had nearly been productive of most unfortunate consequences; for a massive andiron, with round brazen head, whizzed past him, within a hair's-breadth of his ear.

From Fanshawe by Hawthorne, Nathaniel

It is a great pity," said the sermonizer, looking at the face of Clotilde, elongated in the brass andiron; and, after a pause: "Nothing on earth can take the place of hard and patient labor.

From The Grandissimes by Cable, George Washington

Sir Charles, drawing his rapier, sprang to his side, the wounded Captain started up from amidst his pillows and the divine snatched a brass andiron from the fireplace.

From Prisoners of Hope A Tale of Colonial Virginia by Johnston, Mary