ironside

[ahy-ern-sahyd]

noun

a strong person with great power of endurance or resistance.

(initial capital letter) an epithet or nickname of Edmund II.

(initial capital letter) Usually Ironsides.

(used with a singular verb)a nickname of Oliver Cromwell.
the soldiers serving under Cromwell.

ironsides, (usually used with a singular verb)

an ironclad.
Eastern U.S.scup.

Origin of ironside

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at iron, side¹

Edmund II

or Eadmund II

noun

Ironside, a.d. c980–1016, English king 1016: defeated by Canute.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ironside

Contemporary Examples of ironside

Plus, watch trailers for The Black List, Ironside and more.
NBC Unveils Its 2013-14 Schedule: ‘Parenthood’ to Thursday, ‘Revolution’ to Wednesday, and More
Jace Lacob
May 12, 2013

Historical Examples of ironside

"I have just been hearing about your marriage, Ironside," he said.
The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories
Ethel M. Dell
"It's a bargain, Mr. Ironside," she said, with gentle dignity.
The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories
Ethel M. Dell
Are you—are you being just kind to me, Mr. Ironside, like—like Hugh Chesyl?
The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories
Ethel M. Dell
My father had this stubborn virtue to the full; and so had that old Ironside Ireton from whom we are descended.
The Master of Appleby
Francis Lynde
He had to recall that Ironside was a very fine young fellow, with a commendable spirit of inquiry in medical matters.
A Houseful of Girls
Sarah Tytler

British Dictionary definitions for ironside

Ironside

noun

nickname of Edmund II of EnglandSee Edmund II

Edmund II

noun

called Edmund Ironside. ?980–1016, king of England in 1016. His succession was contested by Canute and they divided the kingdom between them

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 ironside

Ironside

name given to a man of great hardihood or bravery, c.1300, first applied to Edmund II, king of England (d.1016), later also to Oliver Cromwell and his troops. Old Ironsides as a nickname of U.S.S. "Constitution" dates from that ship's defeat of H.M.S. "Guerriere" on Aug. 19, 1812, in the War of 1812.