andiron
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Middle English aundire, aundiren, from Old French andier (possibly from Gaulish anderon (“heifer”)) compare Welsh anner, annair (“heifer”), Breton annoar (“heifer”), from Proto-Celtic *anderā (“young woman”), due either to their somewhat animal-like appearance of four legs or to the prominent figuring of bull and heifer design elements; compare its alternative names of fire-dog and dog-iron. Spelling influenced by iron.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈændaɪə(ɹ)n/
Audio (Southern England): (file)
Noun
andiron (plural andirons)
- (usually in the plural) A utensil for supporting wood when burning in a fireplace, one being placed on each side
- Synonym: (chiefly US) fire dog
- 1900, Charles W. Chesnutt, chapter 7, in The House Behind the Cedars:
- The furniture was old-fashioned and massive. The great brass andirons on the wide hearth stood like sentinels proclaiming and guarding the dignity of the family. The spreading antlers on the wall testified to a mighty hunter in some past generation.
- For more quotations using this term, see Citations:andiron.
Translations
a utensil for supporting wood while burning
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Anagrams
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