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mortier

mortar (building material or weapon)

noun mor-TYEH Rare

Also means

pestle-and-mortar bowl

Usage Note

Mortier is a polysemous word: in construction it is the cement-like mix used between bricks; in the military it is a short-barrelled artillery piece; in the kitchen it is the bowl used with a pestle (un pilon). Context almost always clarifies the sense. The black velvet toque worn by senior French magistrates is also called un mortier.

Examples

"Le maçon prépare le mortier."

Natural Translation

The bricklayer is preparing the mortar.

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