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]