Mor·tar n.
1. A strong vessel, commonly in form of an inverted bell, in which substances are pounded or rubbed with a pestle.
2. 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.
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.
Mor·tar, n. 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.
Mortar bed, a shallow box or receptacle in which mortar is mixed.