trowel

¹trow·el

noun \ˈtrau̇(-ə)l\

: a small tool with a curved blade that is used by gardeners for digging holes

: a small tool with a flat blade that is used for spreading and smoothing mortar or plaster

Full Definition of TROWEL

:  any of various hand tools used to apply, spread, shape, or smooth loose or plastic material; also :  a scoop-shaped or flat-bladed garden tool for taking up and setting small plants

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Illustration of TROWEL

Origin of TROWEL

Middle English truel, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin truella, from Latin trulla ladle

First Known Use: 13th century

Other Hardware Terms

adze, auger, awl, chock, ferrule, punch, tang

²trowel

transitive verb

troweled or trowelledtrowel·ing or trowel·ling

Definition of TROWEL

:  to smooth, mix, or apply with or as if with a trowel

— trow·el·er noun

First Known Use of TROWEL

circa 1670

Other Building Terms

batten, cistern, hearth, lath, transom, wainscot

Rhymes with TROWEL

cowl, dowel, foul, fowl, growl, howl, jowl, prowl, rowel, scowl, towel, yowl