Main Entry: ¹mor·tar

Pronunciation: \ˈmȯr-tər\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English morter, from Old English mortere & Anglo-French mortier, from Latin mortarium

Date: before 12th century

1 : a sturdy vessel in which material is pounded or rubbed with a pestle
2 [Middle French mortier] a : a muzzle-loading cannon having a tube short in relation to its caliber that is used to throw projectiles at high angles b : any of several similar firing devices

[mortar illustration]