How do you pronounce it?
Say AN-vuhl, with stress on the first syllable. Merriam-Webster gives /ˈan-vəl/.
Where the word comes from
The English word goes back through Middle English forms to Old English anfealt and related forms. Merriam-Webster connects its early components with the idea of a surface on which striking happens.
Where does the ear anvil fit?
Sound travels along the ear canal to the eardrum. Its vibrations pass through three middle-ear bones: malleus, incus and stapes, before reaching the inner ear. ANVIL names the incus; STIRRUP names the stapes. The canal and drum are different structures, so the puzzle group is broader than bones.
How to choose the right meaning
A sentence about hammering metal points to the tool. A discussion of hearing can use anvil for the bone. In this puzzle, test the anatomical reading against all four tiles rather than assuming the most familiar meaning is the only one.
Why this word appears in Connections
In Connections #1234 on October 27, 2026, ANVIL belongs to PARTS OF THE EAR with CANAL, DRUM and STIRRUP. Read it as incus, not as a blacksmith’s tool. The same board also uses BELL before and after different tiles; an association with metal or sound alone will not sort the ear quartet.
Puzzles featuring this word
Frequently asked questions
Is the anvil an ear bone?
Yes. Anvil is another name for the incus, a bone in the middle ear.
Does anvil always mean a blacksmith’s tool?
No. It can name an ear bone or an anvil-shaped cloud top as well as the metalworking block.
Which Connections group uses ANVIL on October 27?
PARTS OF THE EAR: ANVIL, CANAL, DRUM and STIRRUP.