Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
steel magnolia. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
steel magnolia, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
steel magnolia in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
steel magnolia you have here. The definition of the word
steel magnolia will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
steel magnolia, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
- Combining the contrasting images of steel, a hard metal, and magnolia, a flower.
Noun
steel magnolia (plural steel magnolias)
- (chiefly Southern US) A woman, unashamed, who exemplifies both traditional femininity and an uncommon fortitude.
1983, Roland Bartel, Metaphors and symbols: Forays into Language, National Council of Teachers of English, →ISBN, page 48:Reporters called Nancy Reagan an iron butterfly and Rosalind Carter a steel magnolia.
1998, John Berendt (introduction), The Lady & Sons Savannah Country Cookbook, Random House, Inc., →ISBN, page xv:Ms. Deen is an irresistible example of that extraordinary phenomenon of Southern womanhood, the steel magnolia. She is always appealing and gracious but possessed of an unfailing survival instinct — a necessary character trait for a Southern cook to make it.
2009, Nancy Haddock, Last Vampire Standing, Penguin Group, →ISBN, page 111:"That's how Candy refers to herself to make the vamps think she's just a little Southern belle."
"When she's really a steel magnolia?"