Smooth′ing-ir′on.
A domestic implement, used in the laundry to smooth (iron) linen.
It is heated by placing on a stove, by a gas jet, by a hot iron or charcoal fire placed within it. The various modes of heating, of attaching the handle, and devices for shielding the hand from excessive heat, give rise to many patents.
See sad-iron.
The shape and purpose, but not the material usually employed by us, are shown in a wooden tool found in
Thebes.
It was used in smoothing and pressing cloth, though
Mr. Wilkinson thinks that the finish attained evidences the use of metal.
Those found were about 6 inches in length, and made of hard wood.