I. ˈanvəl, ˈaan- sometimes -(ˌ)vil noun
( -s )
Etymology: alteration of Middle English anfilt, anfelt, from Old English anfealt, anfilt (akin to Old High German anafalz, German dialect ānefilt, Middle Dutch anvilt ), from an on + -fealt, -filt (akin to Swedish dialect filta to beat) — more at on , felt
1.
a. : a heavy usually steel-faced iron block on which metal is shaped (as by hand hammering or forging)
b. : a machine part that serves a similar purpose — compare snarling iron
2. : something that resembles an anvil in shape or use
bold imagination, able thought, and discussion … are the anvil of public policy — A.E.Stevenson b.1900
:as
a. : incus
b. : the metal structure of a cartridge against which the percussion composition is exploded by the blow of the firing pin upon the head of the primer
c. : the lower contact of a telegraphic key
d. : the fixed jaw in a measuring instrument (as a micrometer caliper)
e. : a musical percussion instrument consisting of a steel bar that when struck with a hammer sounds like an anvil
•
- on the anvil
II. transitive verb
( anvilled ; anvilled ; anvilling ; anvils )
obsolete : to shape on an anvil : hammer out