gridiron

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: grid=i=ron

CIDE DICTIONARY

gridiron, n. [OE. gredire, gredirne, from the same source as E. griddle, but the ending was confused with E. iron. See Griddle.].

•  A grated iron utensil for broiling flesh and fish over coals.  [1913 Webster]
•  An openwork frame on which vessels are placed for examination, cleaning, and repairs.
•  A football field; -- so called because of the resemblance of the parallel marked yard lines to a gridiron{1}.  [PJC]

Gridiron pendulum. See under Pendulum. -- Gridiron valve (Steam Engine), a slide valve with several parallel perforations corresponding to openings in the seat on which the valve moves.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

gridiron, n.
1 a cooking utensil of metal bars for broiling or grilling.
2 a frame of parallel beams for supporting a ship in dock.
3 US a football field (with parallel lines marking out the area of play).
4 Theatr. a plank structure over a stage supporting the mechanism for drop-scenes etc.
5 = GRID 6.

Etymology

ME gredire, var. of gredil GRIDDLE, later assoc. with IRON

THESAURUS

gridiron

L, R, acting area, andiron, apron, apron stage, arabesque, archery ground, athletic field, backstage, badminton court, band shell, bandstand, baseball field, basketball court, basketry, basketwork, billiard parlor, board, bowling alley, bowling green, bridge, cancellation, chain, coal tongs, coulisse, course, court, crane, cricket ground, crook, croquet ground, croquet lawn, cross-hatching, crossing-out, damper, diamond, dock, dressing room, fairway, field, filigree, fire hook, fire tongs, firedog, flies, fly floor, fly gallery, football field, forestage, fret, fretwork, glaciarium, golf course, golf links, grate, grating, greenroom, grid, griddle, grill, grille, griller, grillwork, gym, gymnasium, hachure, hatching, ice rink, infield, interlacement, intertexture, intertwinement, lace, lacery, lacework, lacing, lattice, latticework, lifter, lightboard, links, mesh, meshes, meshwork, net, netting, network, orchestra, orchestra pit, outfield, oval, performing area, pit, playground, playing field, playroom, plexure, plexus, poker, polo ground, pool hall, poolroom, pothook, proscenium, proscenium stage, putting green, racecourse, racket court, raddle, reticle, reticulation, reticule, reticulum, riddle, rink, salamander, screen, screening, shell, sieve, skating rink, soccer field, spit, squash court, stage, stage left, stage right, stretch, switchboard, tennis court, texture, the boards, tissue, tongs, tracery, track, trellis, trelliswork, tripod, trivet, turf, turnspit, wattle, weave, weaving, web, webbing, webwork, weft, wicker, wickerwork, wings

ROGET THESAURUS

gridiron

Crossing

N crossing, intersection, interdigitation, decussation, transversion, convolution, level crossing, reticulation, network, inosculation, anastomosis, intertexture, mortise, net, plexus, web, mesh, twill, skein, sleeve, felt, lace, wicker, mat, matting, plait, trellis, wattle, lattice, grating, grille, gridiron, tracery, fretwork, filigree, reticle, tissue, netting, mokes, rivulation, cross, chain, wreath, braid, cat's cradle, knot, entangle, cloth, linen, muslin, cambric, crossing, crossed, matted, v, transverse, cross, cruciform, crucial, retiform, reticular, reticulated, areolar, cancellated, grated, barred, streaked, textile, crossbarred, cruciate, palmiped, secant, web-footed, cross, thwart, athwart, transversely, at grade, crosswise.

Furnace

N furnace, stove, kiln, oven, cracker, hearth, focus, combustion chamber, athanor, hypocaust, reverberatory, volcano, forge, fiery furnace, limekiln, Dutch oven, tuyere, brasier, salamander, heater, warming pan, boiler, caldron, seething caldron, pot, urn, kettle, chafing-dish, retort, crucible, alembic, still, waffle irons, muffle furnace, induction furnace, electric heater, electric furnace, electric resistance heat, open-hearth furnace, fireplace, gas fireplace, coal fire, wood fire, fire-dog, fire- irons, grate, range, kitchener, caboose, camboose, poker, tongs, shovel, ashpan, hob, trivet, andiron, gridiron, ashdrop, frying-pan, stew-pan, backlog, hearth, inglenook, oil burner, gas burner, Franklin stove, pot-bellied stove, wood-burning stove, central heating, steam heat, hot water heat, gas heat, forced hot air, electric heat, heat pump, solar heat, convective heat, hothouse, bakehouse, washhouse, laundry, conservatory, sudatory, Turkish bath, Russian bath, vapor bath, steam bath, sauna, warm bath, vaporarium.