PESTLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does pestle mean? 

• PESTLE (noun)
  The noun PESTLE has 3 senses:

1. machine consisting of a heavy bar that moves vertically for pounding or crushing ores

2. a heavy tool of stone or iron (usually with a flat base and a handle) that is used to grind and mix material (as grain or drugs or pigments) against a slab of stone

3. a club-shaped hand tool for grinding and mixing substances in a mortar

  Familiarity information: PESTLE used as a noun is uncommon.

• PESTLE (verb)
  The verb PESTLE has 1 sense:

1. grind, mash or pulverize in a mortar

  Familiarity information: PESTLE used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PESTLE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Machine consisting of a heavy bar that moves vertically for pounding or crushing ores

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

pestle; stamp

Hypernyms ("pestle" is a kind of...):

machine (any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks)

Holonyms ("pestle" is a part of...):

battery; stamp battery (a series of stamps operated in one mortar for crushing ores)

Derivation:

pestle (grind, mash or pulverize in a mortar)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A heavy tool of stone or iron (usually with a flat base and a handle) that is used to grind and mix material (as grain or drugs or pigments) against a slab of stone

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

muller; pestle; pounder

Hypernyms ("pestle" is a kind of...):

tool (an implement used in the practice of a vocation)

Derivation:

pestle (grind, mash or pulverize in a mortar)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A club-shaped hand tool for grinding and mixing substances in a mortar

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("pestle" is a kind of...):

hand tool (a tool used with workers' hands)

Derivation:

pestle (grind, mash or pulverize in a mortar)

• PESTLE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they pestle    ... he / she / it pestles   
Past simple: pestled   
Past participle: pestled   
-ing form: pestling   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Grind, mash or pulverize in a mortar

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Context example:

pestle the garlic

Hypernyms (to "pestle" is one way to...):

bray; comminute; crunch; grind; mash (reduce to small pieces or particles by pounding or abrading)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

pestle (a club-shaped hand tool for grinding and mixing substances in a mortar)

pestle (a heavy tool of stone or iron (usually with a flat base and a handle) that is used to grind and mix material (as grain or drugs or pigments) against a slab of stone)

pestle (machine consisting of a heavy bar that moves vertically for pounding or crushing ores)

 Context examples 

Meg bathed the insulted hand with glycerine and tears, Beth felt that even her beloved kittens would fail as a balm for griefs like this, Jo wrathfully proposed that Mr. Davis be arrested without delay, and Hannah shook her fist at the 'villain' and pounded potatoes for dinner as if she had him under her pestle.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)