iron-sick

American

[ahy-ern-sik] / ˈaɪ ərnˌsɪk /

Or ironsick

adjective

Nautical.

noting a wooden hull, fastened with iron, in which chemical interaction between the iron and the wood has resulted in the decay of both; nail-sick.

Other Word Forms

iron sickness noun

Etymology

Origin of iron-sick

First recorded in 1620–30

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That old ship of the faith was leaky and iron-sick, and down by the head and heel, as they say at sea.

From 'Charge It' Keeping Up With Harry by Bacheller, Irving

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023