Forms: 4 aundyre, 3–4 aundyrne, 4 -iren, 5 awndyryn, aundeiren, -ryn, andyron, 5–6 awnderne, 6 andyar, awndyrn, aundyern, -yron, aundernn, handern, -iron, 7 handyron, landyron, 5– andiron. [a. OFr. andier (mod.Fr. landier, i.e., l’andier), cf. med.L. andena, anderia, anderius, mod.Fr. dialects andier, andi, andain. Its remoter history is unknown: see Diez, Skeat, and Wedgwood Contested Etymol. In Eng. the termination was at an early date identified with the word yre, yren iron, whence the later illusive spellings and-iron, hand-iron. Instances also occur of land-iron after later Fr.]

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  A utensil, consisting of an iron bar sustained horizontally at one end by an upright pillar or support usually ornamented or artistically shaped, at the other by a short foot; a pair of these, also called ‘fire-dogs,’ being placed, one at each side of the hearth or fire-place, with the ornamental ends to the front, to support burning wood. Sometimes ‘in a kitchen fire-place the upright support carried a rack in front for the spit to turn in’ (Wedgwood).

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a. 1300.  W. de Biblesworth, in Wright, Voc., 171. Forgé de fers, aundyrnes [v.r., in Rel. Ant., II. 84. Furchez de ferz, aund hirnes].

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c. 1314.  Guy Warw., 250. An aundiren he kept in his honden.

4

c. 1400.  Metr. Voc., in Wright, Voc., 176. Stipes ut andēna (glossed a aundyre) sustentus deperit ardens. [The reading of the MS. is clear.]

5

c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., Awnderne [v.r. awndyryn, 1499 awndyrn], Andena, ipoporgium.

6

1442.  in Reg. Test. Ebor., I. 56 a. Duo ferra nominata aundeiryns pro supportatione foci in aula.

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1447.  Par. Accts. Ludlow, in Shropsh. Word-bk. Item, a pare of andirons.

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1480.  Caxton, Ovid’s Met., XII. xii. Threwe … an hevy andryon agenst his Enemyes.

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1483.  Act 1 Rich. III., xii. § 1. Andyrons Cobbardes Tongges Fireforks Gredyrons &c.

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1493.  in Bury Wills (1850), 82. A specte wt an aundeiren.

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1519.  Horman, Vulg. (in Pr. Parv. 19). I lacke a fyre pan and andyars to bere up the fuel.

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1522.  in Bury Wills (1850), 115. A payer of handerns.

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1590.  in Midl. Count. Hist. Coll., II. 31. Item … ij landyrons one fire shovell.

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1591.  Florio, Sec. Frutes, 159. Set that firebrand vpon the handiron.

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1609.  Acc. Feoffees of Rotherham, 8. For mending of a handyron in the chamber, 8d. Ibid. (1616). For mendinge the Scowll house landyron, 8d.

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1611.  Shaks., Cymb., II. iv. 88. Her Andirons … were two winking Cupids Of Siluer.

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1626.  Bacon, Sylva, § 178. If you strike … an Andiron of brass, at the top, it maketh a more treble sound.

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1650.  Fuller, Pisgah Sight, III. vi. 390. Like brazen andirons in great mens chimnies.

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1789.  Mrs. Piozzi, France & It., I. 93. Ashes raked out from between the andirons.

20

1826.  Scott, Woodst. (1832), 187. The andirons, or dogs … for retaining the blazing firewood on the hearth.

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1878.  Mrs. Stowe, Poganuc People, xiii. 111. The social sit-down in front of the andirons.

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