anvil

English

/ˈæn.vəl/, /ˈæn.vɪl/

noun
Definitions
  • A heavy iron block used in the blacksmithing trade as a surface upon which metal can be struck and shaped.
  • (skeleton) An incus bone in the middle ear.
  • A stone or other hard surface used by a bird for breaking the shells of snails.
  • The non-moving surface of a micrometer against which the item to be measured is placed.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English anfilt inherited from Old English anfilt inherited from *anafalt derived from Proto-Indo-European *pelh₂-t- (shaken, beaten), *pelh₂- (flat, drive, approach, spread out, be flat, be broad, thrust, strike, move, stir, swing, shake, broad, plain).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*pelh₂-

Gloss

flat, drive, approach, spread out, be flat, be broad, thrust, strike, move, stir, swing, shake, broad, plain

Concept
Semantic Field

Spatial relations

Ontological Category

Property

Emoji

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms