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Glite Dictionary
goffering iron

goffering iron

9.9
A hot metal rod that presses and shapes fabric ruffles
  • noun
  • /ˈɡɔfərɪŋ ˈaɪərn/
  • Archaic
translation icon : plancha goffre
  • The tailor reached for the goffering iron to ensure the pleats in the gown were crisp and defined.

Examples

  • To create a beautiful ruffled dress, she skillfully used a goffering iron to shape the fabric.

  • "I wouldn't have used a goffering iron on this," he said, shaking his head over one of Julian's shirts.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • She learned how to use a goffering iron to add elegant touches to her sewing projects.

Synonyms

gauffering iron
vsgoffering iron
  • Archaic
9.9

A heated metal tool for pressing pleats and ridges in fabric

is the same tool but uses a different spelling form
goffer
vsgoffering iron
  • Archaic
9.9

An iron tool for pressing pleats into fabric, especially lace

is the same press tool but focuses on ruffles and frills
gauffer
vsgoffering iron
  • Archaic
9.9

A heated tool used to press small folds into fabric

is the same pressing instrument but emphasises decorative frills and ruffles

Surface Forms

goffering iron singular
goffering irons plural

Morphology

goffer + iron

The compound is compositionally regular: 'goffer' (to form pleats with a hot iron) combined with 'iron' (a metal implement) yields an instrument noun meaning the iron used for goffering. This follows a common English pattern (verb→-ing + tool), so a learner who knows both constituents can readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Goffering iron may come from the old verb goffer, meaning 'to make small folds'. Tailors heated a metal rod, an iron, and pressed it into cloth to make ruffles and pleats, so the name came to mean a heated tool for shaping frills and cuffs.