Definition of: iron

(ī′ərn) noun
1. A tough, abundant, malleable, ductile, and strongly magnetic metallic element (symbol Fe). Easily oxidized in moist air and attacked by many reagents, iron is seldom obtained in its pure, silver–white form, but occurs widely in both ferrous and ferric compounds, and combines in varying proportions with carbon, phosphorus, silicon, sulfur, etc. Typical commercial varieties are: cast iron, pig iron, steel, and wrought iron.
2. An iron tool, weapon, utensil, or anything composed of iron.
3. plural Fetters, especially shackles for the feet.
4. A metal–headed golf club with the face slightly laid back.
5. In the leather industry, a unit of thickness, equal to one forty–eighth of an inch.
6. A flatiron.
—in irons
1. Fettered.
2. Naut. Unable to cast away on either side; in stays: said of a vessel coming about into the wind.
—adjective
1. Made of iron.
2. Resembling iron; hard; rude; heavy; also, firm; unyielding: an iron will.
3. Of or pertaining to the Iron Age.
—v.t.
1. To smooth or press with an iron implement, as cloth or clothing.
2. To fetter.
3. To furnish or arm with iron.
—v.i.
4. To smooth or press cloth, clothing, etc., with an iron implement.
—to iron out To smooth out; remove. [OE īren, īsen, īsern]
—i′ron·er noun