anvil

A noun referring to a heavy block of iron or steel used for shaping hot metal by hammering, or to the middle ear bone (incus) located between the malleus and stapes.

• 🇫🇷Nom désignant un lourd bloc de fer ou d'acier sur lequel on forge le métal chaud au marteau, ou, en anatomie, l'os de l'oreille moyenne situé entre le marteau et l'étrier.

1. Blacksmith's block B1 formal

   A heavy iron or steel block used as a surface for hammering and shaping hot metal.

   • The blacksmith placed the glowing iron on the anvil.
   • He struck the metal repeatedly on the anvil to form a sword.
   • The anvil was worn from years of use.

   🇫🇷Enclume de forgeron

2. Middle ear bone C1 formal medical

   The incus, a small bone in the middle ear that transmits vibrations from the malleus to the stapes.

   • The anvil is one of the three ossicles in the human ear.
   • Damage to the anvil can cause hearing loss.
   • The anvil works with the hammer and stirrup to amplify sound.

   🇫🇷enclume (osselet de l'oreille moyenne)

   Synonymes: incus

• anvils plural form
• anvils' possessive plural form
• anvil's possessive singular form