andiron

andiron

and·i·ron

A0289900 (ănd′ī′ərn)n. One of a pair of metal supports used for holding up logs in a fireplace. Also called dog; also called regionally dog iron, firedog.

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[Middle English aundiren, alteration (influenced by Middle English iren, iron) of Old French andier, probably from Gaulish *anderos, young bull (andirons often being decorated with ornaments shaped like the heads of animals); akin to Welsh anner, heifer.]Our Living Language A number of words that formerly were limited to one region of the United States are now used throughout the country. Andiron was once Northern, contrasting with Southern dog iron and firedog. The Southern terms remain limited to that region, but andiron is now everywhere. Other formerly Northern words that have become national include faucet, contrasting with Southern spigot and frying pan, contrasting with Midland and Upper Southern skillet. Southern words that are now used nationwide include feisty and gutters.

andiron

(ˈændˌaɪən) n another name for firedog[C14: from Old French andier, of unknown origin; influenced by iron]

and•i•ron

(ˈændˌaɪ ərn)

n. one of a pair of metal stands, usu. of iron or brass, for holding logs in a fireplace. [1250–1300; Middle English aundyr(n)e < Anglo-French aundyre, Old French andier]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

andiron - metal supports for logs in a fireplace; "the andirons were too hot to touch"dog-iron, firedog, dogsupport - any device that bears the weight of another thing; "there was no place to attach supports for a shelf"

Translations