mor·tar 
/ˈmoɚtɚ/ noun
plural mor·tars /ˈmoɚtɚ/ noun 1 [count] : a heavy, deep bowl in which seeds, spices, etc., are pounded or crushed with a heavy tool (called a pestle) 2 [count] : a military weapon used to fire shells (sense 5a) high into the air at a low speed
▪ fire/shoot a mortar — often used before another noun ▪ The soldiers came under mortar fire. ▪ a mortar attack 3 [noncount] : a wet substance that is spread between bricks or stones and that holds them together when it hardens
▪ seal the joints with mortar — see also brick-and-mortar, bricks and mortar at 1brick
▪ fire/shoot a mortar — often used before another noun ▪ The soldiers came under mortar fire. ▪ a mortar attack
▪ seal the joints with mortar — see also brick-and-mortar, bricks and mortar at 1brick
— mortar verb, mortars; mortared; mortar·ing [+ obj]
▪ a building mortared with mud ▪ bricks mortared together
▪ a building mortared with mud ▪ bricks mortared together
