Definitions for: Mortar


[n] a muzzle-loading high-angle gun with a short barrel that fires shells at high elevations for a short range
[n] a bowl-shaped vessel in which substances can be ground and mixed with a pestle
[n] used as a bond in masonry or for covering a wall
[v] plaster with mortar



Webster (1913) Definition: 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.

Synonyms: howitzer, trench mortar

See Also: building material, cement, daub, high-angle gun, plaster, vessel

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