cast iron
cast-i·ron 
cast iron
a hard, unmalleable alloy of iron used for casting: it contains a high proportion of carbon and silicon, has low tensile strength, and is very fluid and fusible when molten
cast-iron
- made of cast iron
- very hard, rigid, strong, healthy, etc.
cast iron
noun
A hard, brittle, nonmalleable iron-carbon alloy, cast into shape, containing 2 to 4.5 percent carbon, 0.5 to 3 percent silicon, and lesser amounts of sulfur, manganese, and phosphorus.
cast-iron
adjective
- Made of cast iron.
- Rigid; inflexible: a cast-iron rule.
- Exceptionally strong or resistant: a cast-iron stomach.
cast-iron
Adjective
(comparative more cast iron, superlative most cast iron)
- (not comparable) Made of cast iron.
- I use a castiron skillet for frying pancakes.
- Durable; tough; resiliant.
- Ernest has a cast-iron constitution and never gets sick.
- Inflexible or without exception.
- The school's cast-iron policy on admissions fees left no leeway for needy students.
Noun
(uncountable)
Origin
Derived from the casting of this form of iron. See wrought iron for comparison
Adjective
(comparative more cast-iron, superlative most cast-iron)
- Alternative spelling of cast iron.
Noun
(uncountable)
- Alternative spelling of cast iron.
