Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
ironbound. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
ironbound, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
ironbound in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
ironbound you have here. The definition of the word
ironbound will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
ironbound, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From iron + bound.
Adjective
ironbound (comparative more ironbound, superlative most ironbound)
- Bound with iron, ironclad.
- (figurative) Rugged.
an ironbound coast
1820, , Melmoth the Wanderer: A Tale. , volume I, Edinburgh: Archibald Constable and Company, and Hurst, Robinson, and Co., , →OCLC, page 150:He rose and went down to the kitchen, where he knew a fire was burning, and there the terrified servants were all assembled, all agreeing, as the blast came roaring down the chimney, they never had witnessed such a storm, and between the gusts, breathing shuddering prayers for those who were “out at sea that night.” The vicinity of Melmoth’s house to what seamen call an iron-bound coast, gave a dreadful sincerity to their prayers and their fears.
1857, Hugh Miller, The Cruise of the Betsey:Leaving behind us the town at the bottom of its deep bay, we set out to explore a bluff-headed parallelogramical promontory, bounded by Thurso Bay on the one hand, and Murkle Bay on the other, and which presents to the open sea, in the space that stretches between, an undulating line of iron-bound coast, exposed to the roll of the northern ocean.
- (figurative) Rigid, unyielding.
ironbound traditions
Translations
References