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pestle

pestles; pestled; pestling

A pestle is a heavy, blunt tool used to grind things up, such as spices or herbs. If you're grinding spices, you put them in a container called a mortar and use the pestle to smash them up until they're finely ground.

The mortar and pestle was originally used by pharmacists to grind substances for medical use. Because they are sold together as sets and are always used together, many people aren't sure which is the mortar and which is the pestle. The origin of pestle is the Latin word pistillum, which means "pounder." This can help you remember that the pestle is the pounder. Also, pistillum looks like pistol, which is also held in the hand.

Definitions of pestle
  1. noun
    a club-shaped hand tool for grinding and mixing substances in a mortar
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    type of:
    hand tool
    a tool used with workers' hands
  2. noun
    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: muller, pounder
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    type of:
    tool
    an implement used in the practice of a vocation
  3. noun
    machine consisting of a heavy bar that moves vertically for pounding or crushing ores
    synonyms: stamp
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    type of:
    machine
    any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
  4. verb
    grind, mash or pulverize in a mortar
    pestle the garlic”
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    type of:
    bray, comminute, crunch, grind, mash
    reduce to small pieces or particles by pounding or abrading
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘pestle'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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