Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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. 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. {Mortar bed} (Mil.), a framework of wood and iron, suitably hollowed out to receive the breech and trunnions of a mortar. {Mortar boat} or {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.
\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. {Mortar bed}, a shallow box or receptacle in which mortar is mixed. {Mortar board}. (a) A small square board with a handle beneath, for holding mortar; a hawk. (b) A cap with a broad, projecting, square top; -- worn by students in some colleges. [Slang]
\Mor"tar\, v. t. To plaster or make fast with mortar.
\Mor"tar\, n. [F. mortier. See {Mortar} a vessel.] A chamber lamp or light. [Obs.] --Chaucer.