2. (American thieves').—Courage. For synonyms see Spunk.
3. in pl. (thieves').—Fetters. For synonyms see Darbies.—Bee (1823).
1888. Rolf Boldrewood, Robbery Under Arms, xxxvii. I was kept in Irons night and day for a month.
Verb. (old).—To flatter.
1823. Bee, Dict. of the Turf, s.v. Ironing, i.e. Irony e.g. 'Bill Noon, you are one of the best in all England, for nollidge and for larning.' Noon. 'Nay, my Coney, now you're ironing me . . . all down the back'.
Bad iron, subs. phr. (workmen's).—Failure; misadventure; bad luck.
Shooting-iron. See post.
Thieving-irons. See post.
To polish the king's iron with one's eyebrow, verb. phr. (old).—To look out of grated or prison windows.—Grose (1785).
To have many irons in the fire (or on the anvil), verb. phr. (colloquial).—To carry out many projects at the same time, especially schemes for making money.
1593. G. Harvey, Pierces Supererog. in Works ii. 330. It is some men's fortune to have their handes full of vnneedefull bnsinesse attonce: and for miselfe, I should make no great matter of two, or three such glowing irons in the fire.
1614. Jonson, Bartholomew Fair, i. Aye, quickly, good mistress, I pray you; for I have both eggs on the spit, and iron in the fire.
1622. Chapman, Widows Tears, ii. 1. And you know, brother, I have other irons on the anvil.
1640. Howell, Dodona's Grove, p. 38. Elaiana . . . hath divers nurseries to supplie, many irons perpetually in the fire.
1668. Dryden, An Evening's Love, iv. 1. I have more irons in the fire: When I have done with you, I have another assignation.
1760-1. Smollett, Sir L. Greaves, iii. Anthony Darnel had begun to canvass, and was putting every iron in the fire.
1849. Lytton, Caxtons, pt. VII. ii. He had other irons in the fire besides the 'Literary Times' and the 'Confederate Authors' Society'.
Ironbark, adj. (Australian). See
Ironclad.
Iron-bound, adj. (old).—1. Laced
with metal. Iron-bound hat =
A silver laced hat.—Grose (1785).
2. (common).—A hard-baked pie.
Ironclad, subs. (American).—1. A
paragon: as a severely chaste girl,
popular play, song, horse, etc.
2. (common).—An iron-cased watch.
Adj. (common).—Strong; hard; unyielding. Also ironbark (q.v.).
1888. Rolf Boldrewood, Robbery Under Arms, chap. vi. I always thought he was ironbark outside and in.
Iron-cow. See Cow.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1811. Lex. Bal., s.v.
Iron-doublet, subs. phr. (old).—1.
A prison. For synonyms see Cage.
1779. Bamfylde-Moore Carew, s.v.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
2. (American thieves').—Innocence.
Iron-horse, subs. (common).—1.
A locomotive.
2. (cyclists'). A tricycle or bicycle.
1875. Echo, 29 Oct. Mr. S. started on his third day's journey of the 650 miles ride on his iron-horse.
