rhizoverbBeta
DictionarymortarGrinding bowl
noun

mortar

A bowl in which substances are crushed with a pestle.

The cook crushes peppercorns in a stone mortar.

Etymology
mortarLatingrinding vessel

Latin mortarium already named a vessel used for pounding or grinding. The modern utensil preserves that practical form and function.

More examples

  • Several mortars stood on the shelf.
  • The mortar came with a matching pestle.
  • He washed the mortar after grinding herbs.

Forms

mortar · mortars

Similar words

bowl
Does not specifically serve for pounding substances.
grinder
Crushes or reduces material through a mechanism.