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/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, FELT2]
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Iron block on which metal is placed for shaping, originally by hand with a hammer.The blacksmith's anvil is usually of wrought iron (sometimes of cast iron), with a smooth working surface of hardened steel. A projecting conical beak, or horn, at one end is used for hammering curved pieces of metal. When power hammers are used, the anvil is supported on a heavy block, which in turn rests on a strong foundation of timber and masonry or concrete. See also smithing.* * *
iron block on which metal is placed to be shaped, originally by hand with a hammer. The blacksmith's anvil is usually of wrought iron, but sometimes of cast iron, with a smooth working surface of hardened steel. A projecting conical beak, or horn, at one end is used for hammering curved pieces of metal. Sometimes the other end has a beak with a rectangular section. Tools such as the anvil cutter or chisel can be placed cutting edge uppermost into a holder consisting of a square hole in the anvil's surface. When power hammers are used, the anvil is supported on a heavy block, which in turn rests on a strong foundation of timber and masonry or concrete.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
