[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/anvil/)

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# anvil

noun (an anvil, anvils)

«anvil» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A heavy iron block with a flat top on which a blacksmith hammers hot metal into shape. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/anvil/#m1)
2. A tiny bone in the middle ear, also called the incus. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/anvil/#m2)
3. (weather) The flat, spreading top of a big thundercloud. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/anvil/#m3)

### In the lessons

In history and stories the anvil belongs to blacksmiths, who hammer horseshoes and swords on it. In science lessons the ear has three tiny bones: hammer, anvil and stirrup. In cartoons an anvil often falls on a character's head. Phrases: «hammer and anvil», «anvil cloud».

### Examples

- The blacksmith hammered the red-hot horseshoe on the anvil. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/anvil/#x1)
- Clang! went the hammer on the anvil. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/anvil/#x2)
- The anvil is one of the three tiny bones in your ear. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/anvil/#x3)
- A storm cloud with an anvil top can bring thunder and hail. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/anvil/#x4)
- In the cartoon an anvil fell on the coyote. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/anvil/#x5)
- An anvil is so heavy that it doesn't move when you hit it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/anvil/#x6)
- Cursed be the smith who forged it, and the anvil on which it was wrought!’ [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/anvil/#x7)

### Note

Countable, use «an»: an anvil. Stress: AN-vil.

## In Jewish tradition

Here it means the block on which a metalworker hammers an idol into shape.

**Interpretation.** Isaiah mocks the craftsmen who encourage each other as they make a god out of metal that has to be nailed down so it will not fall.

### Examples

- So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smiteth the anvil, saying of the soldering: 'It is good'; and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved. (Prophets ISA.41.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/anvil/#x1)

### Note

Countable, use «an»: an anvil. Stress: AN-vil.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «anvil» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/anvil/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«anvil» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/anvil.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «anvil» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/anvil/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«anvil» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/anvil.html) on Mova free.