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).

Origin of anvil

before 900; Middle English anvelt, anfelt, Old English anfilt(e), anfealt; cognate with Middle Dutch anvilte, Old High German anafalz. See on, felt2

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
[ ănvĭl ]

n.

incus