An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Amboss

by Friedrich Kluge

Amboss, m. ‘anvil,’ from MidHG. anebôȥ, OHG. anabôȥ, m., ‘anvil'; a specifically G. word allied to OHG. bôȥân, MidHG. bôȥen, ‘to beat, strike.’ Comp. AS. beátan, E. to beat (see Beifuß, Beutel, bosseln). Whether OHG. ana-bôȥ is formed by the imitation of Lat. incus (allied to cudere) is uncertain, for the smith's art was early developed among the Teutons without any Southern influence. The corresponding terms AS. anfilt, E. anvil (also OHG. ana-falz), Du. aanbeeld, MidLG. anebelte, Dan. ambolt, are similarly formed.