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anvil

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anvil

Main Entry:: an·vil
Pronunciation:: \ˈan-vəl\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Middle English anfilt, from Old English; akin to Old High German anafalz anvil; akin to Latin pellere to beat — more at felt
Date:: before 12th century

1 : a heavy usually steel-faced iron block on which metal is shaped (as by hand hammering) 2 : incus 3 : the anvil–shaped top of a cumulonimbus

[anvil illustration]

Learn more about "anvil" and related topics at Britannica.com

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