/an"vil/ , n.
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, anvil top . Meteorol. incus (def. 2).
5. a musical percussion instrument having steel bars that are struck with a wooden or metal beater.
6. Anat. incus (def. 1).
[ bef. 900; ME anvelt, anfelt, OE anfilt ( e ), anfealt; c. MD anvilte, OHG anafalz. See ON, FELT 2 ]