Main Entry: ¹pes·tle

Pronunciation: \ˈpe-səl, ˈpes-t^əl\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English pestel, from Anglo-French, from Latin pistillum, from pinsere to pound, crush; akin to Greek ptissein to crush, Sanskrit pinaṣṭi he pounds

Date: 14th century

1 : a usually club-shaped implement for pounding or grinding substances in a mortar — see mortar illustration
2 : any of various devices for pounding, stamping, or pressing

[pestle illustration]