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
a club-shaped hand tool for grinding and mixing substances in a mortar 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 grind or pulverize in a pestle
[ 'pe-s&l, 'pes-t& ] (noun.) 14th century. Middle English pestel, from Middle French, from Latin pistillum, from pinsere to pound, crush; akin to Greek ptissein to crush, Sanskrit pinasti he pounds.