n. [ OE. morter, AS. mortēre, L. mortarium: cf. F. mortier mortar. Cf. sense 2 (below), also 2d Mortar, Martel, Morter. ] 1. A strong vessel, commonly in form of an inverted bell, in which substances are pounded or rubbed with a pestle. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. [ F. mortier, fr. L. mortarium mortar (for trituarating). ] (Mil.) A short piece of ordnance, used for throwing bombs, carcasses, shells, etc., at high angles of elevation, as 45°, and even higher; -- so named from its resemblance in shape to the utensil above described. [ 1913 Webster ]

Mortar bed (Mil.), a framework of wood and iron, suitably hollowed out to receive the breech and trunnions of a mortar. --
Mortar boat or
Mortar vessel (Naut.), a boat strongly built and adapted to carrying a mortar or mortars for bombarding; a bomb ketch. --
Mortar piece, a mortar. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. mortier, F. mortier, L. mortarium mortar, a large basin or trough in which mortar is made, a mortar (in sense 1, above). See 1st Mortar. ] (Arch.) A building material made by mixing lime, cement, or plaster of Paris, with sand, water, and sometimes other materials; -- used in masonry for joining stones, bricks, etc., also for plastering, and in other ways. [ 1913 Webster ]

Mortar bed, a shallow box or receptacle in which mortar is mixed. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To plaster or make fast with mortar. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. mortier. See Mortar a vessel. ] A chamber lamp or light. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A small square board with a handle beneath, for holding mortar; a hawk; used by masons to hold or carry mortar. [ 1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5 ]

2. An academic cap topped by broad, projecting, stiff and flat square top, with a tassel attached to the top and hanging down. It was once worn by students in some colleges, but is now worn usually only at graduation ceremonies. [ 1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5 ]