pestle
[ pes-uh l, pes-tl ]
/ ˈpɛs əl, ˈpɛs tl /
noun
a tool for pounding or grinding substances in a mortar.
any of various appliances for pounding, stamping, etc.
verb (used with object), pes·tled, pes·tling.
to pound or grind with or as if with a pestle.
verb (used without object), pes·tled, pes·tling.
to work with a pestle.
Origin of pestle
1300–50; Middle English
pestel < Middle French < Latin
pistillum, derivative of
pistus, past participle of
pīnsere to pound, crush
Words nearby pestle
pesticide,
pestiferous,
pestilence,
pestilent,
pestilential,
pestle,
pesto,
pesty,
pet,
pet name,
pet parent
Example sentences from the Web for pestle
British Dictionary definitions for pestle
pestle
/ (ˈpɛsəl) /
noun
a club-shaped instrument for mixing or grinding substances in a mortar
a tool for pounding or stamping
verb
to pound (a substance or object) with or as if with a pestle
Word Origin for pestle
C14: from Old French
pestel, from Latin
pistillum; related to
pinsāre to crush
Medical definitions for pestle
pestle
[ pĕs′əl, pĕs′təl ]
n.
A club-shaped, hand-held tool for grinding or mashing substances in a mortar.