Dictionary-Definition.com :: Mortar definition

Definition of 'mortar'

noun

A muzzle-loading high-angle gun with a short barrel that fires shells at high elevations for a short range [syn: mortar, howitzer, trench mortar]

noun

Used as a bond in masonry or for covering a wall

noun

A bowl-shaped vessel in which substances can be ground and mixed with a pestle

verb

Plaster with mortar; "mortar the wall"

From: GCIDE

From: GCIDE

Mortar \Mor"tar\, n. [F. mortier. See Mortar a vessel.] A chamber lamp or light. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster] mortarboard

From: GCIDE

Mortar \Mor"tar\, n. [OE. morter, AS. mort[=e]re, L. mortarium: cf. F. mortier mortar. Cf. sense 2 (below), also 2d Mortar, Martel, Morter.]
1. A strong vessel, commonly in form of an inverted bell, in which substances are pounded or rubbed with a pestle. [1913 Webster]
2. [F. mortier, fr. L. mortarium mortar (for trituarating).] (Mil.) A short piece of ordnance, used for throwing bombs, carcasses, shells, etc., at high angles of elevation, as 45[deg], and even higher; -- so named from its resemblance in shape to the utensil above described. [1913 Webster]
Mortar bed (Mil.), a framework of wood and iron, suitably hollowed out to receive the breech and trunnions of a mortar.
Mortar boat or Mortar vessel (Naut.), a boat strongly built and adapted to carrying a mortar or mortars for bombarding; a bomb ketch.
Mortar piece, a mortar. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Mortar \Mor"tar\, n. [OE. mortier, F. mortier, L. mortarium mortar, a large basin or trough in which mortar is made, a mortar (in sense 1, above). See 1st Mortar.] (Arch.) A building material made by mixing lime, cement, or plaster of Paris, with sand, water, and sometimes other materials; -- used in masonry for joining stones, bricks, etc., also for plastering, and in other ways. [1913 Webster]
Mortar bed, a shallow box or receptacle in which mortar is mixed. [1913 Webster]

Mortar (Heb. homer), cement of lime and sand (Gen. 11:3; Ex. 1:14); also potter's clay (Isa. 41:25; Nah. 3:14). Also Heb. 'aphar, usually rendered "dust," clay or mud used for cement in building (Lev. 14:42, 45).
Mortar for pulverizing (Prov. 27:22) grain or other substances by means of a pestle instead of a mill. Mortars were used in the wilderness for pounding the manna (Num. 11:8). It is commonly used in Palestine at the present day to pound wheat, from which the Arabs make a favourite dish called kibby.