rhizoverbBeta
DictionarymortarShell-firing weapon
noun

mortar

A short-barreled weapon that fires shells in high arcs.

The museum displays a short-barreled mortar beside an information panel.

Etymology
mortarLatinmortar bowl

The weapon’s short, broad barrel was compared to a mortar bowl. The familiar crushing vessel supplied the name for the artillery piece.

More examples

  • The account described several mortars.
  • A mortar stood behind the defensive wall.
  • The historian examined the mortar's design.

Forms

mortar · mortars

Similar words

cannon
A broader heavy gun, often with a longer barrel.
howitzer
Another artillery type, generally larger and longer-barreled.