mortar
MOR-tur
ˈmɔːrtər
A bowl-shaped container in which substances are crushed or ground with a pestle.
Implies a manual, traditional method of grinding rather than using an electric grinder.
The story behind the word. The Latin 'mortarium' originally meant a bowl for mixing or pounding. Interestingly, the military 'mortar' (the weapon) was named after the kitchen tool because early cannons looked like upside-down kitchen mortars.
Word relationships
- grinder: Usually refers to a mechanical or electric device.
Commonly confused with
- pestle: The mortar is the bowl; the pestle is the heavy club-shaped tool used for grinding.
Collocations
- mortar and pestle
- stone mortar
- granite mortar
Example sentences
- "The mortar and pestle is the most primitive of all kitchen tools." Culinary history
- "Crush the garlic and salt in a stone mortar until they form a smooth paste." Recipe instruction
Memory hook
You use a MORTAR to make things 'MORE TAR-like' (pasty). The grinding bowl.
When not to use
Do not confuse with the building material (cement mortar) or the short-range cannon, though they share the name.
Fun facts
- The oldest known mortar and pestle sets date back to 35,000 BC, making it one of humanity's oldest technologies.
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