iron

Universal Words noun, verb, adjective noun metal 1 [U] (Symbol Fe) a chemical element. Iron is a hard strong metal that is used to make steel and is also found in small quantities in blood and food: cast / wrought / corrugated iron * iron gates / bars / railings * an iron and steel works * iron ore (= rock containing iron) * patients with iron deficiency (= not enough iron in their blood) * iron tablets (= containing iron prepared as a medicine) * (figurative) She had a will of iron (= it was very strong). tool 2 [C] a tool with a flat metal base that can be heated and used to make clothes smooth: a steam iron 3 [C] (usually in compounds) a tool made of iron seealsoBRANDINGIRON, SOLDERINGIRON, TIREIRON for prisoners 4 (irons) [pl.] chains or other heavy objects made of iron, attached to the arms and legs of prisoners, especially in the past: leg irons * (old-fashioned) to clap somebody in irons in golf 5 [C] one of the set of CLUBS (= sticks for hitting the ball with) that have a metal head: He hit a magnificent shot with a nine iron. compareWOOD IDIOMS have several, etc. irons in the fire to be involved in several activities or areas of business at the same time, hoping that at least one will be successful moreatPUMPv., RULEv., STRIKEv. verb to make clothes, etc. smooth by using an iron: [VN] I'll need to iron that dress before I can wear it. * [V] He was ironing when I arrived. seealsoIRONING PHRASALVERBS iron sth<->out to remove the CREASES (= folds that you do not want) from clothes, etc. by using an iron iron out sth to get rid of any problems or difficulties that are affecting sth: There are still a few details that need ironing out. adjective [onlybeforenoun] very strong and determined: She was known as the 'Iron Lady'. * a man of iron will IDIOMS an iron fist / hand (in a velvet glove) if you use the words an iron fist/hand when describing the way that sb behaves, you mean that they treat people harshly. The harsh treatment may be hidden behind a kind appearance (the velvet glove): They promised that the army would strike with an iron fist at any resistance. * The iron hand in the velvet glove approach seems to work best with this age group.