Anvil

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: an=vil

CIDE DICTIONARY

Anvil, n. [OE. anvelt, anfelt, anefelt, AS. anfilt, onfilt; of uncertain origin; cf. OHG. anafalz, D. aanbeld.].

•  An iron block, usually with a steel face, upon which metals are hammered and shaped.  [1913 Webster]
•  Anything resembling an anvil in shape or use.  [1913 Webster]

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.

Anvil, v. t. 

 To form or shape on an anvil; to hammer out; as, anviled armor.  Beau. & Fl.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Anvil, n.
1 a block (usu. of iron) with a flat top, concave sides, and often a pointed end, on which metals are worked in forging.
2 Anat. a bone of the ear; the incus.

Etymology

OE anfilte etc.

THESAURUS

Anvil

Eustachian tube, alembic, auditory apparatus, auditory canal, auditory meatus, auditory nerve, auditory ossicles, auditory tube, auricle, basilar membrane, bony labyrinth, caldron, cauliflower ear, cochlea, conch, concha, crucible, drumhead, ear, ear lobe, eardrum, endolymph, engine, external ear, hammer, incus, inner ear, lathe, lobe, lobule, lug, machine, malleus, mastoid process, melting pot, middle ear, mortar, motor, organ of Corti, outer ear, oval window, perilymph, pinna, retort, round window, secondary eardrum, semicircular canals, shell, stapes, stirrup, test tube, transducer, transformer, tympanic cavity, tympanic membrane, tympanum, vestibule

ROGET THESAURUS

Anvil

Support

N support, ground, foundation, base, basis, terra firma, bearing, fulcrum, bait, caudex crib, point d'appui, pou sto, purchase footing, hold, locus standi, landing place, landing stage, stage, platform, block, rest, resting place, groundwork, substratum, riprap, sustentation, subvention, floor, supporter, aid, prop, stand, anvil, fulciment, cue rest, jigger, monkey, stay, shore, skid, rib, truss, bandage, sleeper, stirrup, stilts, shoe, sole, heel, splint, lap, bar, rod, boom, sprit, outrigger, ratlings, staff, stick, crutch, alpenstock, baton, staddle, bourdon, cowlstaff, lathi, mahlstick, post, pillar, shaft, thill, column, pilaster, pediment, pedicle, pedestal, plinth, shank, leg, socle, zocle, buttress, jamb, mullion, abutment, baluster, banister, stanchion, balustrade, headstone, upright, door post, jamb, door jamb, frame, framework, scaffold, skeleton, beam, rafter, girder, lintel, joist, travis, trave, corner stone, summer, transom, rung, round, step, sill, angle rafter, hip rafter, cantilever, modillion, crown post, king post, vertebra, columella, backbone, keystone, axle, axletree, axis, arch, mainstay, trunnion, pivot, rowlock, peg, tiebeam, thole pin, board, ledge, shelf, hob, bracket, trevet, trivet, arbor, rack, mantel, mantle piece, mantleshelf, slab, console, counter, dresser, flange, corbel, table, trestle, shoulder, perch, horse, easel, desk, clotheshorse, hatrack, retable, teapoy, seat, throne, dais, divan, musnud, chair, bench, form, stool, sofa, settee, stall, arm chair, easy chair, elbow chair, rocking chair, couch, fauteuil, woolsack, ottoman, settle, squab, bench, aparejo, faldstool, horn, long chair, long sleeve chair, morris chair, lamba chauki, lamba kursi, saddle, pannel, pillion, side saddle, pack saddle, pommel, bed, berth, pallet, tester, crib, cot, hammock, shakedown, trucklebed, cradle, litter, stretcher, bedstead, four poster, French bed, bunk, kip, palang, bedding, bichhona, mattress, paillasse, pillow, bolster, mat, rug, cushion, footstool, hassock, tabouret, tripod, monopod, Atlas, Persides, Atlantes, Caryatides, Hercules, supporting, supported, fundamental, dorsigerous, astride on, straddle.