Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Blacksmith

Black′smithˊ

,
Noun.
[
Black
(in allusion to the color of the metal) +
smith
. Cf.
Whitesmith
.]
1.
A smith who works in iron with a forge, and makes iron utensils, horseshoes, etc.
The
blacksmith
may forge what he pleases.
Howell.
2.
(Zool.)
A fish of the Pacific coast (
Chromis punctipinnis
, or
Heliastes punctipinnis
), of a blackish color.

Webster 1828 Edition


Blacksmith

BLACK'SMITH

,
Noun.
[black and smith.] A smith who works in iron, and makes iron utensils; more properly, an iron-smith.
Black'-strakes, in a ship, are a range of planks immediately above the wales in a ship's side, covered with tar and lamp-black.

Definition 2024


blacksmith

blacksmith

English

Noun

blacksmith (plural blacksmiths)

  1. A person who forges iron.
    • James Howell (c.1594–1666)
      The blacksmith may forge what he pleases.
    • 1879, Richard Jefferies, The Amateur Poacher, chapterII:
      Orion hit a rabbit once; but though sore wounded it got to the bury, and, struggling in, the arrow caught the side of the hole and was drawn out. []. Ikey the blacksmith had forged us a spearhead after a sketch from a picture of a Greek warrior; and a rake-handle served as a shaft.
  2. (informal) A person who shoes horses; a farrier.
  3. A blackish fish of the Pacific coast (Chromis or Heliastes punctipinnis).

Usage notes

Historically, blacksmiths in small communities have played a number of other roles, including farrier, wainwright and wheelwright. However, blacksmithing properly refers to the forging of iron, and blacksmiths and farriers themselves make the distinction.

Synonyms

Hypernyms

Coordinate terms

Translations