mortar

/ˈmɔrtər/
verb
  1. To attack or bombard with mortar shells.
    • The rebels mortared the government checkpoint during the night.
    • They mortared the village, causing widespread damage.
    • The troops were ordered to mortar the enemy's supply route.
  2. To join or fix with mortar (the building material).
    • The cracks in the chimney were mortared shut.
    • He carefully mortared each brick to ensure a strong bond.
    • The mason mortared the stones together to build the garden wall.
noun
  1. A mixture of cement, sand, and water used in building to hold bricks or stones together.
    • Old mortar can crumble over time and needs to be replaced.
    • The bricklayer spread mortar evenly between the rows of bricks.
    • They mixed the mortar in a large tub before starting the wall.
  2. A short, wide cannon that fires shells at a high angle, used in military combat.
    • The soldiers loaded the mortar and aimed it toward the enemy position.
    • The army used mortars to attack targets behind the hills.
    • A mortar shell exploded nearby, shaking the ground.
  3. A strong bowl used with a pestle to crush or grind ingredients, especially in cooking or pharmacy.
    • A ceramic mortar is ideal for making guacamole.
    • She ground the spices in a mortar and pestle to make a fresh curry paste.
    • The pharmacist used a mortar to crush the pills into powder.
Synonyms
What does "mortar" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean