noun
anvil
The flat, spreading top of a thundercloud.
The thundercloud's anvil spreads across the sky above the distant hills.
Etymology
The older word names the heavy block used by a smith. A thundercloud’s broad, flattened top resembles that block, giving this cloud formation its name.
More examples
- Sunlight catches the edge of the storm's anvil.
- The radar operator watches an anvil form overhead.
- Several storm anvils merge along the horizon.
Forms
anvil · anvils
Similar words
- cloud top
- A general description without specifying the flat, spreading shape.