Meaning of cold iron | Babel Free

Definitions

1. a (possibly fictional) substance harmful to fairies; depending on the story, ordinary iron or iron treated in some way
   uncountable
2. A bad omen.
   Ireland, Scotland, slang, uncountable

Examples

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

“'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.'”

CEFR level