—n.
1 a mixture of lime with cement, sand, and water, used in building to bond bricks or stones.
2 a short large-bore cannon for firing shells at high angles.
3 a contrivance for firing a lifeline or firework.
4 a vessel made of hard material, in which ingredients are pounded with a pestle.
—v.tr.
1 plaster or join with mortar.
2 attack or bombard with mortar shells.
Derivatives:
mortarless adj. (in sense 1). mortary adj. (in sense 1).
Etymology: ME f. AF morter, OF mortier f. L mortarium: partly from LG
Useful english dictionary. 2012.