Definitions

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a United States 44-gun frigate that was one of the first three naval ships built by the United States; it won brilliant victories over British frigates during the War of 1812 and is without doubt the most famous ship in the history of the United States Navy; it has been rebuilt and is anchored in the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Either a retread like Gore or Kerry, or a precious "serious" woman like Old Ironsides "senator" Hillary Rodham Clinton remember when she said she wanted "Rodham" to be a part of her name?

    Democrats Are DUMBOcrats The Daily Growler 2006

  • He joins us from Boston Harbor, home of Old Ironsides.

    CNN Transcript Jul 4, 2002 2002

  • That left Old Ironsides, somewhat reduced in size from its halcyon days, but still a formidable force.

    The Bear and the Dragon Clancy, Tom, 1947- 2000

  • His job as commander of 1st Armored's cavalry squadron (actually a battalion, but the cav had its own way of speaking) was to move out ahead of the division proper, locating the enemy and scouting out the land, being the eyes of Old Ironsides, but with enough combat power of its own to look after itself.

    The Bear and the Dragon Clancy, Tom, 1947- 2000

  • She was so badly injured that she could not be brought into port; while the Old Ironsides, in a few hours, was ready for another fight.

    A Brief History of the United States

  • The chickens scattered in all directions, all except Old Ironsides, the rooster.

    Raggedy Ann Stories Johnny Gruelle 1909

  • Then went down all the navies of Europe and our own, Old Ironsides and all, and Trafalgar and a thousand other fights became only a memory, never to be acted over again; and thus our brave countrymen come last in the long procession of heroic sailors that includes Blake and Nelson, and so many mariners of England, and other mariners as brave as they, whose renown is our native inheritance.

    Sketches and Studies Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864 1852

  • Such a national object of interest, so endeared to our national pride as Old Ironsides is, should never by any act of our government cease to belong to the Navy, so long as our country is to be found upon the map of nations.

    The Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — Volume 01: Earlier Poems (1830-1836) Oliver Wendell Holmes 1851

  • When he touched this planet again -- for Old Ironsides had sent him up towards the moon, much farther than I should want to go, in that style -- he was

    Mike Marble His Crotchets and Oddities. 1835

  • It is no more than an act of simple justice to Old Ironsides, however, to say, that he was as gentle as a lamb to the children of his master.

    Mike Marble His Crotchets and Oddities. 1835

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