cast iron

¹

noun

1. an alloy of iron, carbon, and other elements, cast as a soft and strong, or as a hard and brittle, iron, depending on the mixture and methods of molding.

cast-iron

²

[kast-ahy-ern, kahst-]

adjective

1. made of cast iron.

2. not subject to change or exception.

   a cast-iron rule.

3. hardy.

   a cast-iron stomach.

cast iron

noun

1. iron containing so much carbon (1.7 to 4.5 per cent) that it cannot be wrought and must be cast into shape

adjective

1. made of cast iron

2. rigid, strong, or unyielding

   a cast-iron decision

Word History and Origins

Origin of cast iron¹

1655–65; cast (past participle of cast ( def. ) ) + iron

Origin of cast iron²

First recorded in 1655–65