Mor"tar (?), n. [OE. morter, AS.
mortēre, 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°, 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.
