anvil

American  

[an-vil] / ˈæn vɪl /

noun

1. a heavy iron block with a smooth face, frequently of steel, on which metals, usually heated until soft, are hammered into desired shapes.

2. anything having a similar form or use.

3. the fixed jaw in certain measuring instruments.

4. Also called anvil cloud,.  Also called anvil top.  Meteorology. incus.

5. a musical percussion instrument having steel bars that are struck with a wooden or metal beater.

6. Anatomy. incus.

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anvil British  

/ ˈænvɪl /

noun

1. a heavy iron or steel block on which metals are hammered during forging

2. any part having a similar shape or function, such as the lower part of a telegraph key

3. the fixed jaw of a measurement device against which the piece to be measured is held

4. anatomy the nontechnical name for incus

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Etymology

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, felt ²

Example Sentences

I barely had time to duck behind a large iron anvil before the door burst open and a tall man tumbled inside, quickly turning to lock the door behind him.

From Literature

Papa turned again to the anvil and whammed it with the hammer.

From Literature

The cloud spread like an anvil, carrying ash somewhat west and north but concentrating the spread in the east.

From Literature

To meet these challenges, the team built a diamond anvil cell system combined with laser heating and high-temperature imaging.

From Science Daily

So when he duly exclaims “I’ve got it all,” you can practically hear the anvil of ironic doom shifting into position above his head.

From The Wall Street Journal