Etymology Map
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Mortar

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a paste binding bricks; a bowl for grinding

Where does the word "mortar" come from? It comes from Latin mortarium, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
mortarium
Latin · ancient
"mixing bowl"
a bowl for pounding, and the lime mixture made in it
2
Stage 2 of 3
mortier
Old French · medieval
"mortar"
both the bowl and the building paste
3
Stage 3 of 3
mortar
English · 1200s
"bowl; building paste"
the short cannon 'mortar' was named after its squat bowl shape
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Read the full story

Mortar’s story begins in Latin: mortarium meant “mixing bowl.” A bowl for pounding, and the lime mixture made in it. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as mortier. Both the bowl and the building paste. It reached English by 1200s as mortar. The short cannon 'mortar' was named after its squat bowl shape. Today, mortar means a paste binding bricks; a bowl for grinding.