Andiron Definition

ăndīərn

andirons

noun

andirons

One of a pair of metal supports used for holding up logs in a fireplace.

American Heritage

Either of a pair of metal supports with ornamented front uprights, used to hold the wood in a fireplace.

Webster's New World

A utensil for supporting wood when burning in a fireplace, one being placed on each side; a firedog; as, a pair of andirons.

Wiktionary

Synonyms:

Other Word Forms of Andiron

Singular:

andiron

Plural:

andirons

Middle English anderne (aunderne, aundyre), from Old French andier (mod. landier), from Gaulish anderon 'calf' (compare Irish ainnir 'young woman', Welsh anner 'heifer, cow-calf', enderig 'bull-calf, ox', Breton annoar 'heifer, cow-calf'), because calves rather than dogs figured prominently on ancient Celtic firedogs. Altered in form under the unfluence of iron.

From Wiktionary
Middle English aundiren alteration (influenced by Middle English iren iron) of Old French andier probably from Gaulish anderos young bull (andirons often being decorated with ornaments shaped like the heads of animals) Welsh anner heifer

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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