Iˈtalian ˈiron, n.
A cylindrical ‘iron’ with rounded end, made hollow for the reception of the cylindrical heater, used for fluting or crimping lace, frills, etc. Hence Iˈtalian-ˈiron v. trans. to flute or crimp with an Italian iron, to goffer; Iˈtalian-ˈironed ppl. a.
| 1833 J. Holland Manuf. Metal II. 253 ‘Sad iron’, ‘box iron’, and ‘Italian iron’. 1849 C. Brontë Shirley i, The Italian-ironed double frills or its net-cap. 1861 E. Waugh Birtle Carter's T. 5 A clean cap..thickly bordered with great, stiff, old-fashioned puffs, such as I used to watch my mother make on the end of the ‘Italian iron’ when I was a lad at home. |