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pestling

pestling


pes·tle     (pěs'əl, pěs'təl)   

n.  

  1. A club-shaped, hand-held tool for grinding or mashing substances in a mortar.

  2. A large bar moved vertically to stamp or pound, as in a press or mill.

v.   pes·tled, pes·tling, pes·tles

v.   tr.
To pound, grind, or mash with or as if with a pestle.
v.   intr.
To use a pestle.

[Middle English pestel, from Old French, from Latin pistillum.]
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
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