a strong usu bowl-shaped vessel, e.g. of stone, in which substances are pounded or ground with a pestle, used esp in cooking and pharmacy
a light usu muzzle-loading artillery gun having a tube that is short in relation to its calibre, a smooth bore, and a low muzzle velocity. Mortars are used by infantry for firing shells at high angles over short distances
[Old English mortere from Old French mortier from Latin mortarium]