ANVIL

anvil

(noun) a heavy block of iron or steel on which hot metals are shaped by hammering

incus, anvil

(noun) the ossicle between the malleus and the stapes

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

anvil (plural anvils)

A heavy iron block used in the blacksmithing trade as a surface upon which metal can be struck and shaped.

(skeleton) An incus bone in the middle ear.

A stone or other hard surface used by a bird for breaking the shells of snails.

The non-moving surface of a micrometer against which the item to be measured is placed.

Verb

anvil (third-person singular simple present anvils, present participle anvilling, simple past and past participle anvilled)

To fashion on an anvil (often used figuratively).

Anagrams

• Alvin, Lavin, Vilna, nival, vinal

Source: Wiktionary


An"vil, n. Etym: [OE. anvelt, anfelt, anefelt, AS. anfilt, onfilt; of uncertain origin; cf. OHG. anafalz, D. aanbeld.]

1. An iron block, usually with a steel face, upon which metals are hammered and shaped.

2. Anything resembling an anvil in shape or use. Specifically (Anat.),

Definition: the incus. See Incus. To be on the anvil, to be in a state of discussion, formation, or preparation, as when a scheme or measure is forming, but not matured. Swift.

An"vil, v. t.

Definition: To form or shape on an anvil; to hammer out; as, anviled armor. Beau. & Fl.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

25 April 2024

TYPIFY

(verb) embody the essential characteristics of or be a typical example of; “The fugue typifies Bach’s style of composition”


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Coffee Trivia

Coffee dates back to the 9th century. Goat herders in Ethiopia noticed their goats seem to be “dancing” after eating berries from a particular shrub. They reported it to the local monastery, and a monk made a drink out of it. The monk found out he felt energized and kept him awake at night. That’s how the first coffee drink was born.

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