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angle iron

angle iron

4.9
A length of metal bent into an L shape used to support or join things like shelves
  • noun
  • /ˈæŋɡəl ˈaɪərn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hierro en ángulo
  • Hammering increased density and solidity, and even area by up to one-fifth; resulting uneven edges were removed with an angle iron and shears.

Examples

  • I've added in some angle iron to keep the insulation in place.

  • He purchased several lengths of angle iron to support the roof beams of his workshop.

  • During the impact a piece of metal with an angle iron on the end came through the floor and went through my leg and I never felt it.

  • And then to give this a bit of strength bit of angle iron, I'm going to Weld that to there.

  • In the manufacture of a photocopier frame, angle iron steel stock is first cut and pierced in a punch press to form rails.

    Academic text (1995)
  • The builder used angle iron to create a sturdy frame for the new shelving unit.

  • For added stability, the construction team reinforced the structure with angle iron at the corners.

Synonyms

angle bracket
vsangle iron
  • Specialized
3.9

A metal L-shaped support used to join two pieces at a right angle

is a long L-shaped steel length used as continuous support in construction

How Strong

I-beam
  • Specialized
2 5.7
girder
  • Specialized
14 5.0
angle iron
  • Specialized
4.9
angle bracket
  • Specialized
3.9

Surface Forms

angle iron singular
angle irons plural

Morphology

angle + iron

The noun–noun compound literally describes a piece of iron defined by its shape: 'angle' (an angled/corner shape) + 'iron' (the metal) yields iron with an angled/L-shaped cross-section. This is a straightforward, productive compositional pattern in English, so a B1 learner who knows both words can reasonably infer the meaning.

Etymology

Angle iron is a compound name for a piece of iron bent into an angle so it looks like the letter L. Builders put this L-shaped metal at corners to give 'support', so the name tells you what it does.