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Glite Dictionary
swage block

swage block

9.9
A heavy iron block with holes and grooves that helps shape hot metal in a forge
  • noun
  • /sweɪdʒ blɒk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : bloque de moldear
  • She carefully positioned the hot iron over the swage block before hammering it into shape.

Examples

  • The blacksmith used a swage block to form the rounded ends of the metal bar.

  • A well-equipped forge often includes at least one large swage block for various metalworking tasks.

  • The blacksmith used a swage block to shape the metal.

  • Many swage blocks are designed for specific tasks.

  • A well-equipped forge often includes at least one large swage block for various metalworking tasks.

  • She carefully positioned the hot iron over the swage block before hammering it into shape.

  • The blacksmith used a swage block to form the rounded ends of the metal bar.

Synonyms

anvil
vsswage block
16 5.6

A heavy metal block with a flat top used for shaping hot metal by hammering

is used with holes and grooves to form and support metal in cold work

Surface Forms

swage block singular
swage blocks plural

Morphology

swage + block

The compound is directly compositional: 'swage' (a tool for forming metal) + 'block' (a solid piece) yields a block used for swaging/metal shaping. Although the term is specialised, a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer it denotes a heavy block used to shape or support metal work.

Etymology

Swage block is a heavy iron block with holes and grooves used by blacksmiths. Blacksmiths push hot metal into the holes and hammer it so the metal takes the shape of the hole, so the name means a tool for 'shaping' and 'supporting' metal.