andiron
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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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
- Synonyms: (chiefly US) fire dog, dogiron
- 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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