Definition of iron

The word "iron" has a fascinating history! It originates from the Old English word "iren", which means "ferrum" or "ferrummetal". This Old English word is derived from the Latin word "ferrum", meaning "iron". The Latin word "ferrum" is thought to have come from the Proto-Indo-European root "*ph₂tér", which meant "to purse or solder". From the Latin "ferrum", the words "iron" and "ferrum" spread to various European languages. In Old English, the word "iren" referred to the metal itself, as well as iron tools and objects. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation evolved, and the modern English word "iron" emerged, referring to the metal, as well as its uses in cooking, clothing, and other applications. Interestingly, the word "iron" has cognates in many languages, including French ("fer"), German ("Eisen"), and Italian ("ferro"), all of which come from the Latin "ferrum".