anvilsmith
|an-vil-smith|
/ˈæn.vəl.smɪθ/
maker/worker at an anvil
Etymology
'anvilsmith' is a compound formed in Modern English from the words 'anvil' and 'smith'. 'anvil' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'anfilt' (meaning 'anvil'), and 'smith' originates from Old English 'smiþ' (meaning 'one who strikes' or 'metalworker').
'anvil' changed from Old English 'anfilt' to Middle English forms such as 'anvyle'/'anvil' and eventually became modern English 'anvil'. 'smith' derived from Old English 'smiþ' and remained relatively stable through Middle English to modern 'smith'. The compound 'anvilsmith' was formed by joining these two words in English.
Initially, the components referred respectively to the metalworking tool ('anvil') and the metalworker ('smith'); combined, they originally meant 'a smith who makes or works at anvils,' and this core meaning has largely remained intact.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who makes anvils (a craftsman who forges or manufactures anvils).
The anvilsmith produced a new batch of heavy anvils for the workshop.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a smith who principally works at an anvil (a blacksmith whose work is centered on forging at the anvil).
As an anvilsmith, he spent hours shaping hot iron on the anvil.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/13 15:36