mortar
1a receptacle of hard material, having a bowl-shaped cavity in which substances are reduced to powder with a pestle.
any of various mechanical appliances in which substances are pounded or ground.
a cannon very short in proportion to its bore, for throwing shells at high angles.
some similar contrivance, as for throwing pyrotechnic bombs or a lifeline.
to attack with mortar fire or shells.
Origin of mortar
1Other definitions for mortar (2 of 2)
a mixture of lime or cement or a combination of both with sand and water, used as a bonding agent between bricks, stones, etc.
any of various materials or compounds for bonding together bricks, stones, etc.: Bitumen was used as a mortar.
to plaster or fix with mortar.
Origin of mortar
2Other words from mortar
- mor·tar·less, adjective
- mor·tar·y, adjective
Words that may be confused with mortar
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use mortar in a sentence
What is noticeable is that ISIS is bombarding the town with tank shells and mortars less than it was before.
U.S. Planes are Blowing the Hell out of ISIS at Kobani, But … | Jamie Dettmer | October 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSoldiers said they were attacked with artillery, tanks, mortars and Grad missiles.
Defying NATO, Ignoring Ceasefire, Russian-Backed Troops Keep Rolling | Ted Phillips | September 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHeavy equipment including rockets and mortars were positioned for the assault.
Are American Troops Already Fighting on the Front Lines in Iraq? | Ford Sypher | September 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThey had tanks and mortars and all sorts of armaments provided by the American taxpayer.
Iraq Is Vietnam 2.0 And U.S. Drones Won’t Solve The Problem | Leslie H. Gelb | June 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHe said the separatists attacked with mortars, grenade launchers and automatic weapons.
No word of the bombs and trench mortars I asked for six weeks ago, but the "bayonets" are coming in liberally now.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonThe Anzacs are very much depressed to hear they are to get no more bombs for their six Japanese trench mortars.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonI shall be glad in the meantime of as many more trench mortars and bombs as you can possibly spare.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonPutting the French on one side, we here, in this great force, possess only half a dozen good trench mortars—the Japanese.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonThe trench mortars—bomb guns they call them—will be ready in Japan in two and a half months' time.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian Hamilton
British Dictionary definitions for mortar
/ (ˈmɔːtə) /
a mixture of cement or lime or both with sand and water, used as a bond between bricks or stones or as a covering on a wall
a muzzle-loading cannon having a short barrel and relatively wide bore that fires low-velocity shells in high trajectories over a short range
a similar device for firing lifelines, fireworks, etc
a vessel, usually bowl-shaped, in which substances are pulverized with a pestle
mining a cast-iron receptacle in which ore is crushed
to join (bricks or stones) or cover (a wall) with mortar
to fire on with mortars
Midland English dialect to trample (on)
Origin of mortar
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with mortar
see bricks and mortar.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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