anvil
[ an-vil ]
/ ˈæn vɪl /
noun
a heavy iron block with a smooth face, frequently of steel, on which metals, usually heated until soft, are hammered into desired shapes.
anything having a similar form or use.
the fixed jaw in certain measuring instruments.
Also called anvil cloud, anvil top. Meteorology.
incus(def 2).
a musical percussion instrument having steel bars that are struck with a wooden or metal beater.
Anatomy.
incus(def 1).
Words nearby anvil
Example sentences from the Web for anvil
British Dictionary definitions for anvil
anvil
/ (ˈænvɪl) /
noun
a heavy iron or steel block on which metals are hammered during forging
any part having a similar shape or function, such as the lower part of a telegraph key
the fixed jaw of a measurement device against which the piece to be measured is held
anatomy the nontechnical name for incus
Word Origin for anvil
Old English
anfealt; related to Old High German
anafalz, Middle Dutch
anvilte; see
on,
felt ²
Medical definitions for anvil
anvil
[ ăn′vĭl ]
n.
incus