1N-COUNT 铁砧 An anvil is a heavy iron block on which hot metals are beaten into shape. 铁砧
2N-COUNT [usually singular, usually with supplement]锤炼;磨炼 You can refer to a difficult experience that changes someone or leads to something good as a particular type of anvil . 锤炼;磨炼 [literary]
His independence had been forged on the anvil of a harsh environment.