Link Centre Dictionary

pestle

UK/ˈpɛsəl/ uncommon archaic
noun (3) verb (1)

noun

1.

machine consisting of a heavy bar that moves vertically for pounding or crushing ores

Synonyms
2.

a heavy tool of stone or iron (usually with a flat base and a handle) that is used to grind and mix material (as grain or drugs or pigments) against a slab of stone

Synonyms
3.

a club-shaped hand tool for grinding and mixing substances in a mortar

verb

1.

Origin

From Middle English pestel, pestell, from Old French pestel, from Latin pistillum, from pīnsō (“pound, beat”). Doublet of pistil and pistillum.

Phrases

  • knight of the pestle
  • mortar and pestle
  • pestle and mortar

Related words

Word family

Broader terms

Parts

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.