Middle English Dictionary Entry
īren n.
Entry Info
Forms | īren n. Also hiren, jrenne, ieren, iron, hiron, jron, ir(o)un, irn(e, hirn(e, jrne, iern(e, yirn, ir(e, hire, jre, irre & isen, hisen, izen, is(e, isern, aiser & eren, heren, yeren, eiren, heiron, ern(e, herne, yern(e, ʒern, eire & (error) orn; pl. ir(e)nes, etc. & irnesse, hirenesse, isnes, (early) irenu. |
Etymology | OE īren & īsern, īsen & ON; cp. OI jārn, ONorw. -jærn, OSwed. iærn, Dan. jern. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1a.
(a) Iron, as ore, metal, or commodity; of ~, made of iron or consisting of iron parts; (b) a piece of iron; things made of iron; (c) filinge (limature) of ~, iron filings; filth (rust) of ~, iron rust; scurf (sinder) of ~, the slag of iron separated from the ore during smelting, scoria; squame of ~, ?scales of iron rust; water of ~, ?a liquid preparation containing iron in some form; ?the water in which hot iron is quenched; (d) in sayings.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)4129 : Þatt cnif wass..nohht off irenn.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)20/25 : His [a fiend's] grisliche teð semden of swart irn.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)216/18 : Irn þet lið stille gedereð sone rust.
- a1250 Ancr.(Nero A.14)128/4 : Nis ðet iren acursed ðet iwurðeð þe swarture & ðe ruhure so hit is ofture & more iviled?
- c1300 SLeg.Kath.(LdMisc 108)245 : Heo nomen þe kene crokes of Ire Þat hire flechs depe gnowe.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)467 : Of irin, of golde, siluer, and bras, To sundren and mengen wis he was.
- a1325(?c1300) NPass.(Cmb Gg.1.1)1392 : A brac þe ire on þe stidie, A brac it in pecis þre.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)17 : Englode [read: Englonde] is vol..Of stel, of yre, & of bras.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)139/32 : Mildenesse..is þe dyamod of noble kende þet nele naʒt sitte ine gold ac ine poure metal ase yzen.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Deut.8.9 : Þe lord..shal lede þe into a good lond..whoos stonys been yrun.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.251 : Þe Grees write first yn wex with poynteles of yren [L stylis ferreis].
- (1397) Inquis.Miscel.(PRO)6.74 : [Iron called] Spaynissh irne [and] osmond [worth 20 £.].
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)200a/a : Iren hatte ferrum and haþ þat name..of feriendo, smytynge, for it beteþ and smyteþ by hardnesse þerof..it is most hard and sadde and..it tempereþ alle oþre metall, [etc.].
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)5140 : [They] Armen hem in breny of yse [rime: wise].
- (1404) Will York in Sur.Soc.4331 : j cultellum de ayser.
- (1419) *Will Bury155 : A fryyng panne of eryn.
- (1424) EEWills57/27 : Þan wul I þat my..wyfe..haue..my..brasse spytes, rakkes, and brandernes of erne.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)39a/b : Magnes: a ston drawynge hyren.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)191 : Of eche ml. of yryn of Spayne, iiij d..Of eche ml. of yryn of Normandye, iiij d.
- (1439) Doc.in Dugdale Monasticon 4554 : We ordene..that there be made a hache of conabyll heythe, crestyd withe pykys of herne.
- (1443) Acc.St.Mary Thame in BBOAJ 830 : And for ij krompys of yr to ber the pypys to tomas smyghth.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)7104 : Þe serclys..Shul wyth hookys of yirn..Be thyk set.
- a1450(c1400) Wor.Serm.(Wor F.10)76/850 : Þow..vois wer as strong & as durable as any orn ʒit..a schuld nat be suffisaunt to telle al þe peynes tat ben in helle.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)4396 : In strong preson he was þer putte & gret gyus of hyrone y-leyde hym vpone.
- a1450-a1500(1436) Libel EP (Warner)56 : Commodytes called commynge oute of Spayne And marchandy..Bene fygues, raysyns..Iren, wolle.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)9133 : The teris þat trickilt on her tryet chekes, As pure watur pouret vn polishet yerin.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)10463 : Þai..Barrit hom..with boltes of yerne.
- c1450(c1400) Vices & V.(2) (Hnt HM 147)202/32 : Tribulacions purgeþ þe soule..as þe file doþ þe ieren.
- (1463) GRed Bk.Bristolpt.2.p.66 : That euery estraunger alyen..pay..For every C Iron, ij d.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)203/4 : He..caughte a clubbe in his honde all of clene iron.
- c1475 Mankind (Folg V.a.354)280 : Lyke as þe smyth trieth ern in þe feer, So was he triede by Godis vysytacyon.
- c1475 *Mondeville (Wel 564)163a/b : A smal naile of yrn mowe be putt yn.
- a1500(?a1400) Torrent (Chet 8009)2136 : In the havyn of Portyngale, There stode shippes of hede vale Of Irun and of tree.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)238/9 : Then þe fende aperyd..wyth een brennyng as doþe yern yn þe fyre sparklyng on yche syde.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Hrl 7333)312 : Þei..bond him in þe prison with bondis of yre.
- a1500 Hrl.2378 Recipes (Hrl 2378)121/16 : Draw it on a hoke of eren.
b
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)1448 : Y sagh hym bere vppon hys krowne Brynnyng eryn.
- c1450 Scrope Othea (Lngl 253)94 : A men [read: man] may not ioyne oon yren to anothir yf thei be note hote bothe..and softyd with the fire.
- c1450 Med.Bk.(2) (Add 33996)89 : Take a drope wyþ þe sklyce..on acolde yren or on acolde stoon.
- (1485-86) Acc.St.Andrew Hubbard in BMag.32155 : Resseyvid for old yron and pewtyr found in the vestre, summa xvij d.
c
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)99/3 : Medicyns whiche þat ben driynge & clensynge, & han a priuy propirte to consowde olde woundis..ben: limature [L limatura] of iren, flour of bras brent, [etc.].
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)178a/b marg. : Filth of yren, Merda ferri is knowen it is fri. & sic..consolidatif.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)109a/b : Hele it with þe squame of iren & vineger, þe whiche is made in þis maner. Take þe ruste oþer þe redenesse of iren & grynde it wele, [etc.].
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)183a/a : Hete a gobet of a mylne stone in þe fire oþer of sinder of iren, [etc.].
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)85a/b : Medecynes..þat dryen..ben scurfe of bras..scurfe of yren.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)97a/b : Þat he vse þinges þat ben delitable..as ben..grete soure wyne & water of yren.
- ?c1450 Stockh.PRecipes (Stockh 10.90)34/27 : Take fylynge of syluyr, or erne, of leed, [etc.].
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)118a/a : Medicyns whiche þat ben boþe driynge and clensinge and..consouden olde woundis..ben þese: The lymature of bras, þe lymature of yren.
d
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2226 : Whil that iren is hoot, men sholde smyte.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.6110 : Þe Iren hoot, tyme is for to smyte, And nat abide til þat it be colde.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)2.1276 : Pandare..Felte iren hoot, and he bygan to smyte.
- c1475(?c1451) Bk.Noblesse (Roy 18.B.22)6 : Now at erst the irnesse be brennyng hote in the fire thoroughe goode courage, the worke is overmoche kindelid and begonne.
1b.
Alch. Iron as the metal of the planet Mars.
Associated quotations
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.2470 : Iren..stant upon Mart; The Led after Satorne groweth.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.CY.(Manly-Rickert)G.827 : Sol gold is, and Luna siluer we threpe, Mars iren.
- c1450(c1380) Chaucer HF (Benson-Robinson)1446 : Yren Martes metal ys.
2.
(a) A craftsman's tool or an agricultural implement made of iron or having iron parts; gravinge ~, grosing ~, paringe ~, plough ~, soudinge ~, turninge ~, q.v.; groupinge ~, see groupinge ger.; (b) a branding iron; also fig.; brenning ~, markinge ~, q.v.; (c) ?a stylus of iron for inscribing or engraving; a drill for boring holes; (d) the heated iron bar or blade used in trials by ordeal; hot (firi) ~; -- also coll.; (e) an iron hook, a nail, a spike; an iron fitting or bracket; coll. iron nails, clamps for fastening, etc.; also, spikes on an instrument of torture; (f) coll. iron bands for binding a chest, strengthening a door, wrapping an ax handle, etc.; iron bars for a window; (g) a die used in minting of coins; (h) one of a pair of iron grills for baking wafers and the like; a grill for roasting; baking irnes, houselinge irnes, oble irnes, rost (rostinge) ~, q.v.; (i) the metal part of any tool, gear, or machine; an iron collar as part of an instrument of torture; the bit of a bridle; bridel ~, miln ~, shovele ~, spade ~, q.v.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1200(OE) Hrl.HApul.(Hrl 6258B:Berberich)75.20/1 : Þu scealt hy [betony] niman on augustus monðe butan yserne.
- ?a1200(OE) Hrl.HApul.(Hrl 6258B:Berberich)102.67/1 : Þu scealt onbute hy delfan, swa þat þu hyra mid þan ysene na athryne.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2452 : Ebrisse folc adden an kire Nogt sone deluen it [the corpse] wið yre.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)167/20 : Moche þoleþ þe coupe of gold of strokes of yzen erþan hi by yzet ope þet bord of þe kinge.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Lev.1.17 : He shal breke þe wynges of hit & not kytte ne wiþ yryn dyuyde hit.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.13 : I fare as the whetston þat makeþ yren [Higd.(2): a knyfe] sharpe and kene.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)4.351 : [St. James] drank nevere wyn..eyren [vrr. yre, yren; L ferrum] come nevere on his heede.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mil.(Manly-Rickert)A.3809 : He was redy with his iren hoot, And Nicholas in the ers he smoot.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.906 : Be war and keep thy nekke boon from iren.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)9336 : Ʒyf þou turnedest, for worldes wynnyng..Tymber, stones, eren, or glas..vestyment..vesselement Þat falleþ to holy cherches seruyse, And vsest hem on ouþer wyse..þou synnest.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.136 : Thyn yrons keep in hard & sharp vsage ffor graffyng & for kittynge.
- a1450(a1400) SLeg.Corp.Chr.(Bod 779)196 : Þe yrin gan to flete anon in þat stede.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)1504 : A turf it is, when gras & herbe is grave Vp with the grounde, with irons mad therfore.
- (1474-76) Acc.St.Andrew Hubbard in BMag.31537 : Paied..for..Sowdre for gotters..; item, for fagottes for to hete their Irens, j d.
- a1500 Agnus Castus (Bal 329)203/20 : Yf he [the plant] be broke vp with-owte any jre or othyr metell, and a man haue grete ache, [etc.].
b
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)1.pr.4.138 : He comandide that..men scholde marken hem on the forheved with an hoot iren and chasen hem out of the towne.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)93/16 : Þe folk of þis cuntree gers merk þam in þe visage with a hate yrne.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.35 : In þaire front an yren schulde þei bren.
- c1475(a1400) Wycl.Pseudo-F.(Dub 245)303 : Summe shal depart fro bileeue, takynge hede to spiritis of errour..hauynge here conscience brent wiþ hoot yren of coueytise.
- a1500 Henley Husb.(Sln 686)57 : Ordygne you a strange iron to marke þem [sheep] withe in þe forhede.
c
- a1425 Adam & E.(3) (Wht)98/26 : I am þe aungel that helde the hond of Seth whanne he wroot this wiþ an irun, haldynge it in his riʒt hond.
- c1450 Treat.Fish.(Yale 171)157/11 : Take a feyr corke..boyr hyt þorow with a smale hoyt yrun.
d
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)6950 : Me broʒte vorþ þis fury ssares..Þe quene..stap vpe þis furi yre, euerich stape al clene.
- c1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)2229 : Wiþ hot yren..Sche þouʒt to make hir clene Of sake.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)52/13 : Þer was broght furth a hote yrn to prufe þe treuth with.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)180/35 : For to proue þe soþe wheþer sche were clene or noʒt, he made to be ordeyned a longe hote yre of the lengþe of xv feete þat his wyf schuld go vpon barfote.
e
- c1175(?OE) HRood (Bod 343)34/31 : Þa het he þone bridel nimen & þa halʒæ irenu of aliniæn het & heom mid mucele arwurðnesse in to þare halʒæ rode ahon het.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)7831 : Þa Bruttes..nomen longen ræftres..mid stronge irene heo weoren iscod, & setten heom i Temese flod.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Juliana (Bod 34)51/561 : Ha bigon to broken al as þet istelede irn strac hire in ouer al.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)2004 : Hit bigon to claterin..& to cleouen..ba þe treo & te irn.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)1182 : Stryke of his heuede and stake it..Syne bere it to Bareflete and brace it in yryne And sett it on the barbycane.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)4613 : Long pyles..dide þey make; ffaste yn Temese dide þey hem stake, Euerylkon wyþ iren schod.
- (1450) Doc.in HMC Rep.5 App.448 : An iron to hang with busshes upon the sign.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)3376 : If any Naue to it [the stone adamant] neʒe, þat naylid is with iryn, Þen cleuys it ay to þe clife.
- (1458) Acc.St.Margaret Southwark in BMag.32639 : Payd for the Ironn beryng the pype of lede vpon the Stepyll, xvj d.
- c1475(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)86 : If þe carpenter hew doun of þe wode a tre, and graue it..setting it in a wal, festining it wiþ irne þat it fal not.
f
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1992 : The dore was al of athamant eterne, Yclenched ouerthwart and endelong With iren togh.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)8.1133 : Thei haue anon the cofre stoke, And bounden it with yren faste.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)1.97 : Boxes ben y-set forþ bounden with yre [vrr. iren, Irne].
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)215 : Þe stele of a stif staf -- þe sturne hit bi-grypte -- Þat watz wounden wyth yrn to þe wandez ende.
- (1446-7) Acc.Yatton in Som.RS 486 : [It. y payde]..vor bynnyng of a panna wyt yre..xij d.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)487/19 : Þai sulde close hur in a tombe of stone, and..feste þe coveryng þeron stronglie bothe with lead & strong yrn.
- a1500(1396) Indent.Francisc.in RS 4.1 (Vit F.12)522 : That the sayd wyndos be well and sewerly berred of yerne and closyd with wyndowes of glasse.
g
- (1469) Indent.Edw.IV in Archaeol.15172 : That the seid maister..may take and receyve as many gravers for to grave the irennes..as..there shalbe nede to have.
h
- (1446) Invent.Lytham in Chet.n.s.6029 : j pare hyrenesse for bakyng of song bred.
- a1500 Hrl.2378 Recipes (Hrl 2378)78/11 : Take a peyre irrens as men schul baken with wafres.
i
- ?a1160 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1137 : Ðat wæron rachenteges..þat was sua maced, ðat is, fæstned to an beom & diden an scærp iren abuton þa mannes throte & his hals ðat he ne myhte nowiderwardes ne sitten ne lien ne slepen oc bæron al ðat iren.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)9956 : Cristess Goddcunndnessess mahht..iss bitacnedd..Þurrh þatt bulaxess irenn.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)40/2 : I þe muð sit tet irn & o þe lihte tunge.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)39/29 : Of ane of þase nayles gert þe emperour Constantyne make him ane yrne till his brydill.
- c1440 HBk.GDei (Thrn:Horstmann)317 : In the [horse's] mouthe lygges the heuy Iryne one þe lyghte tunge.
3.
(a) A weapon or weapon head made of iron or steel; coll. weapons; ~ and stel, arms; ne (neither) ~ ne stel, no weapon whatsoever; with ~ and fir, with killing and burning, with complete devastation; (b) armor; a piece of armor; ~ and stel; ?also, an iron shirt worn for penance.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1200(OE) Hrl.HApul.(Hrl 6258B:Berberich)68.4/7 : Wið sleʒe isernes..þeos ylcan wyrte, ʒecnucod & toʒeled, heo wunderlice ʒehælð.
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)23 : Hu mei þe leche þe lechinen þa hwile þet iren sticat in þine wunde?
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)1030 : Hom ne mai halter ne bridel Bringe vrom hore wude wise, Ne mon mid stele ne mid ire [?read: ise].
- c1300(c1250) Floris (Cmb Gg.4.27)80/6 : Ne ire [vr. yren] ne steil ne mai þe sle.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)8829 : Þurch þe hert þat ysen cheld Pased.
- c1330(?c1300) Reinbrun (Auch)p.660 : For noþing ne schel him dere Wiþ no wepne þat man may bere, Naiþer stel ne yre.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)217/28 : Þe smeryeles ne is naʒt worþ to hele þe wonde..þer-huile þet þet yzen is þerinne.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)4.55 : Hanibal passede þe hilles Pireneus and made hym away wiþ iren and wiþ fuyre among þe cruel peple of Galles.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)222b/b : If he [a hind] be yschote, he sekeþ þis herbe and eteþ it and putteþ þe yren out of þe wounde.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)22207 : Þan sal all..underli so waful wrake, Wit irne or fire or atter beist.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)23468 : Þaa þat o cares all ar quite, It mai nan iren o þam bite.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)2265 : Gawayn..schranke a lytel with þe schulderes for þe scharp yrne.
- c1450(?1436) Siege Calais (Rome 1306)41 : Ribawdes armed with Iren [vr. iyrne] and stele, Was neuer better devyse.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)2104 : Quarells qwayntly qwappez thorowe knyghtez With iryn.
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)68b : Oftener is hunger cause of victorie þan þe scharp yren.
- ?a1450 Agnus Castus (Stockh 10.90)128/16 : Þis herbe tempred with esyle is to hole euery soor hurt with ony yryn.
- c1450(c1400) Vices & V.(2) (Hnt HM 147)241/8 : Medicines ne helpeþ nouʒt to hele a wounde as longe as an harwe-heued or a quarel or oþere ieren is wiþ-ynne in þe flesche.
- c1450 Burg.Practica (Rwl D.251)255/18 : For..thorown or yrun drawne out of a man, The juce of sauyn..y-leyd in þe hole.
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)51 : A ful onlikly game me þoutʒ it was wher þat flesch is hewe with rusty heren.
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)1.121 : These..martyrs..Wyth feer and wyth yern I-slayn and I-brent.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)116 : Daggeres..swerdes and..oothere yrenes..ben made to sle men with.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)111 : The Normannes..distroyed Frauns and Lotharinge with fire and yrun.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)76b/b : Þis emplastre is proued for to drawe out an arowe heed or ony yren þat stikiþ in mannys body.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)77b/a : Þe akynge schal ceessen and..þou schalt fynde þat yren or tree abouen on þe wounde.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)203/7 : Be ye myndful of Moyses..whych amalech noght fyghtynge with Iren, but wyth holy Prayer keste doune.
b
- c1300 Lay.Brut (Otho C.13)1553 : Þeh he bere yre an, ʒif he hine mid swerde smot, na ros he neuere more.
- c1300 Lay.Brut (Otho C.13)22340 : Hii weren nakede, and þe oþere hi-heled mid hire.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)9019 : Þei it ne percede noʒt þat yre [vrr. eire, his basenet], þat blod vaste adoun drou.
- c1330(?c1300) Guy(1) (Auch)1316 : Þai dede hem arme swiþe wel Boþe in iren & in stiel.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)5542 : Kyng Alisaunder his armes nam, And armed hym ful wel, And al his folk in jrne and steel.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)729 : He sleped in his yrnes.
- a1425(c1333-52) Minot Poems (Glb E.9)9/102 : Þe Inglis men war armed wele Both in yren and in stele.
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)204 : Off thei were armed neuere so wel, He [the dragon] brend hem thorow Iren & stel.
- c1440(?a1400) Perceval (Thrn)746 : He was armede so wele In gude iryn and in stele.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)9651 : He stirte vp of his bere..Al armed in ire [vr. Irne] & stel.
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)89b : Þese men..were so wel ywarded and heled in yeren and steel.
- a1400 Siege Jerus.(1) (LdMisc 656)842 : Waspasian..steweþ his burnes, Þat wer for-beten & bled vnder bryʒt yren [vrr. iryns, jrenne].
- a1500 Tundale (Adv 19.3.1)1730 : Then saw he hym..in a fyr to the navylle y-seytt, And above from the navyll vpward Clothed with an yron [vr. hayre] scharpe and hard.
4.
An iron chain; a prisoner's fetter; coll. shackles, chains; also fig. affliction, distress, anguish.
Associated quotations
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)19/9 : Gederið in ower heorte..þe pinen þe prisuns þolieþ..þer ha liggeð wið irn heuie ifeðeret.
- a1350(1307) Execution Fraser (Hrl 2253)111 : He wes yfetered weel, boþe wiþ yrn ant wyþ steel.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)9482 : Þe king in strong yre heo het sette vaste.
- c1330(?c1300) Guy(1) (Auch)6199 : More iren about me is..On armes, on legges, on bodi also.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)128/21 : Þe zeneʒere is ase þe ilke þet is ine prisone in ysnes and ine ueteres.
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)1186 : Tak..& to prisoun þou hem lede..Bynd hem herde wyþ yre & steel.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Ps.104.18 : Thei mekeden in stockis his feet, iren passide thurʒ hys lif.
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)4.72 : Þe kyng..Comaundede A Constable to casten him in Irens.
- a1400 NVPsalter (Vsp D.7)106.10 : Sittand in schadow ofe dede and mirkenes, Bunden in iren and wrecchednes. For speches ofe god gremed þai.
- c1425 Found.St.Barth.37/34 : He..felt now nat as beforne, hym-self so chargid with ferramentis and Iryns.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.5814 : It were weel meriere a man to gon at large, Than with irenes be nailed to a blok.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)3986 : He seyʒe þat cursede Bryxin come..Stondyng in an heyron þere.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)3523 : Þus kept the kyng vnkyndly his doughter..teghit her in yernes.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)205/23 : He felid hym-selfe bon agayn in yrnys.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)191 : He..put him in yrunnes and brout him to London.
- (1465) Acc.All Sts.Tilney30 : Item, Ernys to ye Grete bell hangyng xiiij s., vj d.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.A.1372 : If it fortune the man in prison longe to lye In Irons heuy without ony defence.
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)104.17 : He [Joseph] was in grete anguys, swa that iryn, that is, harde nede, was in his saule, brenand and bisy in wrechidnes.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)370/95 : I was bonde full fast In yrens for to last.
- a1500 Octav.(1) (Cmb Ff.2.38)156/1558 : The Sarsyns..ladde them wyth yron stronge.
- a1500 Stations Rome(1) (Lamb 306)707 : Lammasse day þou vndyrstonde, whan petur was bounde with Irnys grete.
5.
(a) A surgical instrument of iron; coll. surgical instruments; ?surgery; with ~, by surgery; blod ~ [see blod 1b. (d)]; (b) an instrument for cauterizing; that part of a cautery made of iron; hot ~, brenning ~, q.v.; also fig.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1200(?OE) PDidax.(Hrl 6258b)3/12 : Apollon ærest he ʒemetta meþodicam, þæt syndon sa ysene þa mann mid cnifun hæle menn.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)133/7 : I stoppe þe sijk mannes eeris, þat he mowe not heere þe soun of þe yren [vr. eyren] þat trepaniþ.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.3122 : We most, as techeth sorgerye, With scharp yrens sechyn remedye.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)20a/b : Dentale: an yren to drawe out teþe.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)48b/a : In þe ventuose saw noʒt Albucasis any man þat was hardy vpon þe curyng of it wiþ yren.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)174b/a : Þer bene forsoþ many ferdful, & þai wolde more dye þan suffre yren.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)98b/b : What tyme þat þou wirches wiþ instrumentes of iren, þat þu touche not þe fleische of þe wounde wiþ oute with þine yrens.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)25a/b : Þat openynge is bettre þat is made by yren þan þat is made by terynge.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)50b/b : If..he haue noght þe coghe..ne none oþer accidente þat letteþ the operacioun wiþ yren..þu schalt kytte hym.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)6.121 : With this brennyng yre So smyte hem of, quycly.
- c1475 *Mondeville (Wel 564)161a/b : What tyme þat euere þer be ony operacioun aboute þe brayn wiþ yrn, þat þe eeris of þe pacient schulen be stoppid wiþ cotoun.
- c1475 *Mondeville (Wel 564)161b/b : If þe brayne panne..be not woundid and þer come noon yuele accident to þe sike man, þou schalt neuere worche vpon him wiþ yrens.
b
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)60/4 : Brennynge of hoot yren [vr. eyren] to þe ground of þe wounde is moost profitable.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)305/17 : A cauterie is clepid streit whanne it is maad wiþ an hoot yren, wiþ gold, or wiþ siluir.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)94b/b : Make..ane yren hote & þreste it doune & cauterie þe sinewe.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)106b/b : Brenne þe place þat is corupte wiþ ane hote iren.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)45b/a : Be þere made two cotones..wiþ an hote yren.
- c1450(c1400) Vices & V.(2) (Hnt HM 147)147/3 : First schal a man legge þerto oynementes and plastres of faire amonestynges; and..þe fretynge poudres..of harde vndertakynges; after þe yren of discipline.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)58a/a : In vndoynge of þat þat is hool, as whanne a surgian letiþ blood or cawterieþ wiþ yren or wiþ corosif.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)86b/b : Þou schalt cauterien hir to þe grounde wiþ a brennynge yren.
6.
?As a precious stone; ?error for quirine.
Associated quotations
- a1500 Peterb.Lapid.(Peterb 33)p.96 : Iren is a stone, & it haþe þese vertues..ley it vpone a manis brest..sleping & þey schall tel al þat þey han doune.
7.
Cpds. & combs.: (a) ~ brenner, ?one who works at smelting iron; ~ hat, a helmet of iron or steel; ~ heter, one who works the bellows or tends the furnace for smelting iron; ~ smith [OE īren-smiþ, īsen-], a blacksmith, an iron-worker; ~ squames, scales of iron rust; ~ ware, implements made of iron; iron parts of tools, vehicles, etc.; (b) ~ bounden, bound or reinforced with iron bands; ~ branded, of conscience: seared or branded, as by an iron; ~ grei [OE īserngrei], of the gray color of polished iron; also as name; ~ shod, of a pile or stake: tipped or shod with an iron band; ~ wrien, dressed in armor.
Associated quotations
a
- (1327) Doc.in Riley Mem.Lond.160 : [Ralph le Gilder and Richard de Bernham,] irensmythes.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)7114 : Wawain ʒaue Oriens swiche a flat, Boþe on helme & ysen hat.
- c1330 Horn Child (Auch)52 : Out of danmark com an here, Opon Inglond forto were Wiþ stout ost..Wiþ yren hattes, scheld, & spere.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Ecclus.38.29 : So the iren smyth sittende biside the stithie.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Is.44.12 : The yren smyth with the file wroʒte.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.CY.(Manly-Rickert)G.759 : Orpyment, brent bones, iren squames..in to poudre grounden been ful smal.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)200a/b : It is þe manere to tempere Iren ware with oyle lest þey ben hard.
- (1403-4) LRed Bk.Bristol2.182 : That no Smyth yclepid a Rowsmyth..ne none of here seruantes no be nowʒt thorow the towne no maner of yreware to sylle in here armys no vppon here hedys.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)1 Kings 13.19 : There was not an yren smith foundun in al the loond of Yrael.
- a1425 KAlex.(LinI 150)1622 : Of sum weore þe brayn out spat, Al vndur þeo iren hat.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)14b/a : Ciniflo: an aske fist or iren heter.
- (1430) Acc.Iron Master in EHR 14514 : [Bishop Langley farmed out all his forests..to Robert Kirkhous,] Irynbrenner.
- ?a1440 Hortus (Brist-U)267 : Ciniflo: a ferblowere, anyren hetere.
- (1447-8) in Willis & C.Cambridge 1399 : Item, in monee assigned for Iren, steel, Nailles, and iren ware..for the making of Barowes, Carres, Gynnes, And for making, Amending, and Repairing of pikees, shouelles, and othere instrumentes.
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)367 : He set his stroke on his yron hat.
- a1475 Siege Troy(1) (Hrl 525)209/1791j : Many les þe hede in his Iren hatte.
b
- (1193) in Pipe R.Soc.n.s.340 : Yrengrai debet xiij s.
- c1330(?c1300) Reinbrun (Auch)p.644 : Hii come..Wiþ spere and gounfanoun, Wiþ helm on heued & brinie briʒt. Iyren-wrye mani a kniʒt To bataile wer þai boun.
- (1381) Doc.in Morsbach Origurk.4 : Jtem, a goud irebounde wen..a goud irebounde cart.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)14.246 : For pouerte hath but pokes to putten in his godis, Þere auarice hath almaries and yren-bounde coffres.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)17.90 : Wheþer be betere to breke lasse boost hit makeþ, To breke a beggers bagge þan an yre-bounden cofre?
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)31a : Glaucus: yren grey.
- (1425) *Indent.Elyngham (Add Charter 62408) : ij erynbownden cartys.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)4637 : Iren-schod was ilke peel.
- (1451) *Court R.Long Bennington : [Equum castratum color] Irungrey.
- (1462) Will York in Sur.Soc.30254 : Unum yrne bonden wayn.
- c1475(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)103 : Sum schal depart fro þe feiþ..speking lesing in ypocrisy, and hauing þer consciens iren brondit.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)68a : Irne gray: glaucus.
8.
In surnames, place names, etc. [see Smith PNElem. 1.304].
Associated quotations
- (1200) Fine R.King John89 : Jocelinus de Irencestr.
- (1279) EPNSoc.7 (Sus.)382 : Hysenherst.
- (1296) EPNSoc.7 (Sus.)382 : Isenherst.
- (1303) Pat.R.Edw.I126 : Robert le Isblowere.
- (1327) in Thuresson ME Occup.Terms222 : Langa yreneman.
- (1398) Inquis.Miscel.(PRO)6.83 : [A tenement called] le Iren on the Hope.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1500 Jul.Artist.Recipes (Jul D.8) 139/4 : Put hit ageyne inne þe pot or ellis inne a panne of irnee made for þe nonce, and set hit on a trevet over þe fire.
Note: New spelling (irnee).
- a1500 Cmb.Ee.1.13 Dye Recipes (Cmb Ee.1.13) 107/20 : Take þe filing of erne, and þe sond of þe grinston, and do hem togyddyr in a vessel.
- a1500 Cmb.Ee.1.13 Dye Recipes (Cmb Ee.1.13) 109/5 : Take a golon of veneger, and ʒ of aldyr rindis..and ʒ of limayle of ern, and do al þes in a pot togyder.
Note: Postdates sense 1a.(c). ?Modify sense to include limaille of ~ with filinge (limature) of ~.
- a1500 Ashm.1393 Artist.Recipes (Ashm 1393) 163/23 : When þe poudur bygynyþ to come to þe mouþ remeue hit with a ʒerd..and þus do .ij. or .iij. with þy ʒerd, and þy ʒerd mote be of ʒre.
- a1525 BodEMus.52 Artist.Recipes (BodEMus 52) 189/8 : Forto make a water to wrytte in yryne or stele or in ony other metall.
- a1525 BodEMus.52 Artist.Recipes (BodEMus 52) 190/1 : Take a plate of yrynne and ley þy glase þerupon.
- ?a1500 AS.81 Artist.Recipe (AS.81) 320/1 : Forto wrete apon hiyr or stele. Take a quantite of alem, brimestone, [etc.].
Note: Additional quots., sense 1a.(a). New spellings (ʒre, irine, irinne, & hiir).
- a1500 Rwl.C.506 Artist.Recipes (Rwl C.506) 175/3 : Hange þy skyn in þe wynde, and whan it is drye tawe þe flesche syde yn a withe or yn a glouerse yre till it be softe.
Note: New compound under 2.: glovers ~: ?'a currier's stake used for softening leather'.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. iron.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 5.(b)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. hot iron.