pestle
Americannoun
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a tool for pounding or grinding substances in a mortar.
-
any of various appliances for pounding, stamping, etc.
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
-
a club-shaped instrument for mixing or grinding substances in a mortar
-
a tool for pounding or stamping
verb
Etymology
Origin of pestle
1300–50; Middle English pestel < Middle French < Latin pistillum, derivative of pistus, past participle of pīnsere to pound, crush
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Meanwhile Klenam and I made the fufu, me pounding the steaming plantain and cassava together in the large wooden mortar while she turned and shaped the blended mass adeptly between each stroke of the pestle.
From Literature
Traditionally, pesto was made using a mortar and pestle, though a blender or food processor gets the job done just fine today.
From Salon
The machine itself rolled lozenge dough and pressed them into perfect discs, thus eliminating the use of mortar and pestle to manually knead, roll and cut out the dough.
From Salon
A few had tooth structures that acted like a mortar and pestle and were able to grind in addition to just cutting.
From Science Daily
Many residents use stone mortars and pestles made by the stone carvers.
From Seattle Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
