cold iron

English

Noun

cold iron (uncountable)

1. Alternative form of cold steel (“swords, knives, bladed weapons”)
   • 1771, Tobias Smollett, The Expedition of Humphry Clinker:

     This scene passed in presence of Lieutenant Lismahago, who encouraged Clinker to hazard a thrust of cold iron with his antagonist.

   • 1910, Rudyard Kipling, “Cold Iron”, in Rewards and Fairies:

     'Gold is for the mistress — silver for the maid — / Copper for the craftsman cunning at his trade.' / 'Good!' said the Baron, sitting in his hall, / 'But Iron — Cold Iron — is master of them all.'

2. (mythology) a (possibly fictional) substance harmful to fairies; depending on the story, ordinary iron or iron treated in some way