Word origin
ME
mortere < OE
mortere & OFr
mortier, both < L
mortarium, mixing vessel or trough < IE *
mṛtos, pulverized < base *
mer-, to rub: see morbid; (sense 3) Fr
mortier; (sense 5) ME
morter < MFr
mortier < L
mortarium, a mixture of sand and lime: so called from the vessel in which it was made