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ironbound

ironbound

1 7.0
Made stronger with iron, for example a gate or chest
  • adjective
  • /ˈaɪərnˌbaʊnd/
: revestido de hierro
  • The ancient castle had ironbound gates to keep out invaders.

Examples

  • The ironbound door was impossible to break through without special tools.

  • They discovered an ironbound chest hidden beneath the floorboards.

  • The ironbound door was nearly impossible to break through.

  • The ironbound chest protected its treasures from thieves.

  • The ancient castle had ironbound gates to keep out invaders.

  • The ironbound door was impossible to break through without special tools.

  • The ironbound chest protected its treasures from thieves.

Synonyms

ironclad
vsironbound
2 7.3

Protected by iron plates to stop enemy fire

is about being surrounded or bound with metal for strength rather than only plated
steel-plated
vsironbound
1 4.1

Covered in steel to make it strong and safe

uses metal specifically for binding or reinforcement rather than a generic covering
armor-clad
vsironbound
  • US
1 7.2

Covered with heavy metal plates for protection

means being bound with metal for strength rather than general heavy armor
tinclad
vsironbound
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Covered with thin metal sheets for light protection on ships

refers to being reinforced with metal for strong protection rather than thin sheeting
ironshod
vsironbound
  • Archaic
9.0

Covered with iron to make it stronger and last longer

focuses on being surrounded or reinforced with metal for protection not just a covering

Antonyms

8 5.2

Not tied or held, able to move and act freely

1 5.0

Not made stronger by extra support or material

Compounds

1 7.7

A Newark neighborhood known for Portuguese and Spanish people and many restaurants

A very strong will to keep trying no matter what

How Protected

ironbound
1 7.0
reinforced
36 3.7
shielded
  • Specialized
20 4.4
protected
452 2.0
unprotected
55 2.9

Surface Forms

ironbound positive

Morphology

ironbound = iron + bound (transparent) = iron + bound

Literal compound meaning 'surrounded or reinforced with iron' directly follows from 'iron' + 'bound'.

Etymology

The word ironbound comes from the parts iron and bound, meaning 'surrounded' or 'fastened'. Imagine an old chest or gate with iron bands around it, and you will see why ironbound means 'reinforced with iron' and very strong.