iron English · revision 3697

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=inherited|attested=c. 700|origins=gem-pro *īsarną}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /aɪən/, US /ˈaɪ.ɚn/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|iren]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) [[inh|ang|īren]],^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) a form, with the -s- turned into -r-, of [[m|ang|īsen]], later [[m|ang|īsern]] or isærn,^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from [[gem-pro|*īsarną]],^(Hoad 1986) which is also the source of Old Saxon and Old High German īsarn (German Eisen), Dutch ijzer, Old Norse īsarn and Gothic eisarn.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) The Germanic word is probably an early borrowing from Celtic *īsarno-, compare Old Irish iarn and Welsh haearn;^(Hoad 1986)^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) Barnhart notes the conjecture that it came instead from Venetic or Illyrian *eisarnon.^(Barnhart 1988) Watkins derives the Celtic word from [[ine-pro|*is-(e)ro-|t=powerful, holy]], perhaps as the “holy” or “strong” metal compared with softer bronze.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The metal: about 700 as isaern,^(Barnhart 1988) and in the OED from before 700.^(OED 1989) An instrument or tool made of iron is also from Old English, before 700.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Old English used the word both as noun and adjective, though in form it is an adjective.^(Etymonline) In southern Middle English it was often ire or yre, the -n taken for an inflection, while in the north and in Scotland it was contracted to irn, still heard in dialect.^(Etymonline) A branding iron is from about 1380,^(OED 1989) irons as shackles from the 1650s as a verb,^(Etymonline) and a device for pressing clothes from the 1610s;^(Etymonline) the verb “to press clothes” followed in the 1670s.^(Etymonline) The golf club with an iron head is from 1842,^(Etymonline) and the iron lung from 1932.^(Etymonline) Figuratively, iron stands for extreme hardness or strength, from 1382 in the adjective.^(OED 1989) To have many irons in the fire is from the 1540s,^(Etymonline) after the blacksmith who heats several pieces at once.^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 700 – the metal, isaern.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 825 – adjective, made of iron.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1380 – a branding iron.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1400 – verb, to make of iron.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1540s – ''many irons in the fire''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1610s – a device for pressing clothes.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1670s – verb, to press clothes.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1842 – a golf club.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1932 – ''iron lung''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A hard, [[magnetism|alt=magnetic]] metallic [[chemical element]], used to make [[steel]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A tool or implement made of iron, such as a branding iron.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A heated appliance for pressing clothes.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A [[golf]] club with a metal head.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''irons'': [[shackle|alt=Shackles]] or [[fetter|alt=fetters]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Great strength or hardness.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Made of or containing iron.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Very hard and strong; [[inflexible]]: ''an iron will''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To press clothes with a heated iron.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To fit or cover with iron.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''iron out'': to settle a problem or difficulty.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[ironness]]

+ * [[ironless]]

+ * [[ironlike]]

+ * [[ironer]]

+ * [[ironing]]

+ * [[iron-on]]

+ * [[unironed]]

+ * [[Iron Cross]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[andiron]]

+ * [[gridiron]]

+ * [[ferrous]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The chemical symbol Fe is from the Latin word for the metal, ferrum.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}