Definition

A type of metal support used to hold wood in a fireplace, often found in pairs.

Example

The old fireplace was decorated with a beautiful firedog on each side.

Conversation

I found an old firedog in my grandmother's attic yesterday.

Really? Those are quite rare to come across these days!

Yeah, I was surprised to see how beautifully crafted it is.

That sounds awesome! You should definitely keep it as a decoration.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Firedog → The word is formed from "fire" (from Old English *fyr*, meaning heat or flame) and "dog" (from Old English *docga*, meaning a dog or a powerful breed of dog). A firedog refers to a dog that is associated with the fire, often used to describe a type of andiron or a decorative support for a fireplace.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'dog' that is associated with 'fire' — a firedog is a dog that relates to the warmth and flames of a fireplace.

Visually Confused Words