cast iron

noun
1.
an alloy of iron, carbon, and other elements, cast as a soft and strong, or as a hard and brittle, iron, depending on the mixture and methods of molding.
Origin
1655-65; cast (past participle of cast1) + iron

cast-iron

[kast-ahy-ern, kahst-] /ˈkæstˈaɪ ərn, ˈkɑst-/
adjective
1.
made of cast iron.
2.
not subject to change or exception:
a cast-iron rule.
3.
hardy:
a cast-iron stomach.
Origin
1655-65
Examples from the web for cast iron
  • These types of cast iron pans are easy to use due to its lightweight quality.
  • Aging pipes are often replaced with more earthquake-resistant magnesium-reinforced cast iron.
  • cast iron, even enamel-coated cast iron, are suitable.
  • We are looking into the use of cast iron detectable warnings.
  • The cast iron housings shall have permanently lubricated sleeve bearings.
British Dictionary definitions for cast iron

cast iron

noun
1.
iron containing so much carbon (1.7 to 4.5 per cent) that it cannot be wrought and must be cast into shape
adjective
2.
made of cast iron
3.
rigid, strong, or unyielding: a cast-iron decision
Word Origin and History for cast iron
n.

1660s, from cast (past participle adjective) "made by melting and being left to harden in a mold" (1530s), from past participle of cast (v.) in sense "to throw something in a particular way" (c.1300), especially "form metal into a shape by pouring it molten" (1510s). From 1690s as an adjective, cast-iron.