andiron

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English

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A pair of andirons in front of a fireplace

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)

  1. (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

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