pestle

Definition

A club-shaped, round-headed stick used in a mortar to pound, crush, rub or grind things.

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

• "She then sat down by the fire, and carefully separated the stone from the pulp, which she burnt; and her next task was to extract the kernel, which she did by means of a heavy pestle and the hearth. The kernels were next crushed together, and placed to simmer over the furnace."
• "[…]whether the chopping-knife or their pestles were the better weapons"
• "a pestle of pork"