pestle

[ pes-uhl, pes-tl ]

noun

1. a tool for pounding or grinding substances in a mortar.
2. any of various appliances for pounding, stamping, etc.

verb (used with object)

, pes·tled, pes·tling.

1. to pound or grind with or as if with a pestle.

verb (used without object)

, pes·tled, pes·tling.

1. to work with a pestle.

pestle

/ ˈpɛsəl /

noun

1. a club-shaped instrument for mixing or grinding substances in a mortar
2. a tool for pounding or stamping

verb

1. to pound (a substance or object) with or as if with a pestle

Word History and Origins

Origin of pestle¹

1300–50; Middle English pestel < Middle French < Latin pistillum, derivative of pistus, past participle of pīnsere to pound, crush

Word History and Origins

Origin of pestle¹

C14: from Old French pestel, from Latin pistillum; related to pinsāre to crush

Example Sentences

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

In a perfect pesto world, that frozen sauce is homemade — a mix of tiny-leafed Genovese basil, Italian pine nuts and good olive oil that you’ve pounded by hand with a mortar and pestle.

From Seattle Times

The spice remains indicate that the stone mortars, pestles and grinding slabs found there were likely used for food preparation.

From Scientific American

Related Words

• grate
• pulverize
• reduce
• scrape