anvil

/'ænvil/

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Word: Anvil

Part of Speech: Noun

Basic Definition: An anvil is a heavy block made of iron or steel. It is used by blacksmiths (people who work with metal) to shape hot metals by hammering them.

Usage Instructions:

• Common Context: You will often hear the word "anvil" when discussing metalworking or blacksmithing. It can also be encountered in discussions about tools and machinery.

Example Sentence:

• The blacksmith placed the heated metal on the anvil before striking it with a hammer.

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced contexts, "anvil" can also refer to its role in various trades and crafts, such as jewelry making, where small anvils are used for delicate work.

Word Variants:

The word "anvil" does not have many variants, but related terms include: - Anviled (adjective): Describing something that resembles or is related to an anvil, although this usage is rare.

Different Meanings:

1. Anatomy: In anatomy, the term "anvil" refers to the incus, which is one of the small bones in the middle ear that helps transmit sound. It sits between two other bones, the malleus (hammer) and the stapes (stirrup).
   • Example: The sound waves vibrate the eardrum, causing the malleus to move the anvil.

Synonyms:

• Block: In the context of metalworking, it can be referred to as a block.
• Forge: Sometimes, people refer to the place where an anvil is used as a forge, although "forge" is not a direct synonym.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs that specifically use the word "anvil." However, you might hear phrases like "hammer it out" which relates to using an anvil in the context of shaping or forming ideas or agreements through discussion.

Conclusion:

An "anvil" is a crucial tool in metalworking and has a specific meaning in anatomy as well.

Academic

Noun

1. the ossicle between the malleus and the stapes
2. a heavy block of iron or steel on which hot metals are shaped by hammering

Synonyms

• incus