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Webster 1913 Edition

Anvil

An′vil

,
Noun.
[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.)
,
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

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

Webster 1828 Edition

Anvil

AN'VIL

,
Noun.
[The Latin word incus, incudis,is formed by a like analogy fromin and cudo, to hammer, or shape.]
An iron block with a smooth face, on which smiths hammer and shape their work.
Figuratively, any thing on which blows are laid.
To be on the anvil, is to be in a state of discussion, formation or preparation; as when a scheme or measure is forming, but not matured. This figure bears an analogy to that is discussion, a shaking or beating.

Definition 2024

anvil

anvil

English

An anvil

Noun

anvil ‎(plural anvils)

  1. A heavy iron block used in the blacksmithing trade as a surface upon which metal can be struck and shaped.
    • 1794, William Blake, The Tyger, lines 15-16 (for syntax)
      What the anvil? what dread grasp / Dare its deadly terrors clasp?
  2. (anatomy) An incus bone in the inner ear.
  3. A stone or other hard surface used by a bird for breaking the shells of snails.

Translations

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Etymology

From Middle English anfilt, anvelt, anfelt, from late Old English anfilt, anfilte, anfealt, from earlier onfilti ‎(“anvil”), from Proto-Germanic *anafeltaz (compare Middle Dutch anvilte, Low German Anfilts, Anefilt, Old High German anafalz), compound of *ana ‎(“on”) + *feltaz ‎(“beaten”) (compare German falzen ‎(“to groove, fold, welt”), Swedish dialect filta ‎(“to beat”)), from Proto-Indo-European *pelh₂-t- ‎(“shaken, beaten”) (compare Old Irish lethar ‎(“leather”), Latin pellō ‎(“to beat, strike”), Ancient Greek πάλλω ‎(pállō, “to toss, brandish”)), enlargement of Proto-Indo-European *pelh₂- ‎(“to stir, move”). More at felon.

Pronunciation

  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈæn.vəl/

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