† ˈpressing-iron Obs.
An iron implement (= iron n.1 5) used by tailors, dressmakers, laundresses, etc., which is heated, and used to press down seams, smooth cloth, and the like; a smoothing-iron. Also fig.
| 1343 Reading Abbey Tailor's Compotus (Add. MS. 19657), In Reparacione vnius pressynge yryn pro Scissore viij.d. 1459 Maldon, Essex, Court Rolls Bundle 34. No. 1 b, A pressynge yren, precii ii d. 1577–87 Holinshed Chron. III. 1064/2 Then Mosbie hauing at his girdle a pressing iron of fourteene pounds weight, stroke him on the hed with the same. 1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts (1658) 313 Take a Taylors pressing Iron made hot and rub it up and down upon the cloth. c 1637 Wotton Let. to Sir R. Baker in Reliq. (1651) 446 Your worldly troubles have been but Pressing-Irons to your heavenly cogitations. |