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Glite Dictionary
Ironbound

Ironbound

1 7.7
A Newark neighborhood known for Portuguese and Spanish people and many restaurants
  • proper noun
  • /ˈaɪərnˌbaʊnd/
translation icon : Ironbound
  • Booker invited his friends to explore the vibrant Ironbound area, known for its rich cultural diversity and lively restaurants.
  • Ironbound neighborhood
  • Ironbound section

Examples

  • My college girlfriend was from Ironbound, so I was well acquainted with all of those stereotypes, albeit not until my early 20s.

    Blog text (27)

  • In the Ironbound neighborhood of Newark, New Jersey, visitors can enjoy a variety of delicious Portuguese and Spanish cuisines.

  • Many festivals celebrated by the Portuguese and Spanish communities take place in the Ironbound, bringing together people from all walks of life.

Surface Forms

Ironbound main

Morphology

Ironbound = iron + bound (semi-transparent) = iron + bound

The parts 'iron' + 'bound' are visible as a compound, but as a place name the meaning is an idiosyncratic toponym rather than a literal description, so learners may not infer the referent from components.

Etymology

The word Ironbound comes from two simple parts, iron and bound, where 'bound' means 'surrounded' or 'held'. The neighborhood was long ringed by iron works and railroad tracks, so the name stuck and now labels that lively Newark area known for its Portuguese and Spanish communities.