pestle Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun machine consisting of a heavy bar that moves vertically for pounding or crushing ores
    stamp.
  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
    pounder; muller.
  3. noun a club-shaped hand tool for grinding and mixing substances in a mortar
  4. verb grind, mash or pulverize in a mortar
    • pestle the garlic

WordNet

Pes"tle noun
Etymology
OE. pestel, OF. pestel, LL. pestellum, L. pistillum, pistillus, a pounder, pestle, fr. pisere, pinsere, to pound, crush, akin to Gr. , Skr. pish. Cf. Pistil.
Definitions
  1. An implement for pounding and breaking or braying substances in a mortar.
  2. A constable's or bailiff's staff; -- so called from its shape. Obs. Chapman.
  3. The leg and leg bone of an animal, especially of a pig; as, a pestle of pork.
Pes"tle transitive verb & intransitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Pestled ; present participle & verbal noun Pestling
Definitions
  1. To pound, pulverize, bray, or mix with a pestle, or as with a pestle; to use a pestle.

Webster 1913