n. & v.
n. 1 a mixture of lime with cement, sand, and water, used in building to bond bricks or stones. 2 a short large-bore cannon for firing shells at high angles. 3 a contrivance for firing a lifeline or firework. 4 a vessel made of hard material, in which ingredients are pounded with a pestle.
v.tr. 1 plaster or join with mortar. 2 attack or bombard with mortar shells. mortarless adj. (in sense 1). mortary adj. (in sense 1).
[ ME f. AF morter, OF mortier f. L mortarium: partly from LG ]