ironbound

[ ahy-ern-bound ]

/ ˈaɪ ərnˈbaʊnd /

bound with iron.

rock-bound; rugged.

hard; rigid; unyielding.

Origin of ironbound

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at iron, -bound¹

Ahmad smiled at Daoud and gestured again at the ironbound door.

The Saracen: Land of the Infidel |Robert Shea
Cleverness broke upon him like shipping on an ironbound coast.

Certain Personal Matters |H. G. Wells
Beyond it an ironbound coast runs down four hundred miles southeast to Cape Horn.

South America Observations and Impressions |James Bryce
An angry roar went up to Heaven, followed by a hail of blows upon the stout, ironbound oak, and an imperious call to open.

The Trampling of the Lilies |Rafael Sabatini

Three days ago, two shipwrecks took place upon our ironbound coast.

The Wandering Jew, Complete |Eugene Sue

ironbound

/ (ˈaɪənˌbaʊnd) /

bound with iron

unyielding; inflexible

(of a coast) rocky; rugged