pestle

tool

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Last updated

July 21, 2026

Quick Summary

A pestle is a tool used for pounding or grinding substances, typically in conjunction with a mortar. It is often club-shaped and made from materials like stone, ceramic, or wood.12

Historically, the mortar and pestle was one of the earliest methods for grinding grain. Today, smaller versions are commonly found in kitchens for preparing pastes and finely ground ingredients, in pharmacies for mixing medicines, and in laboratories for chemical processes. The word "pestle" comes from the Latin word "pinsere," meaning to pound or crush.12

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mortar and pestle
The pestle is a rounded grinding club often made of the same material as the mortar. Together with the saddle quern (a round stone rolled or rubbed on a flat stone bed), the mortar and pestle was the first means known for grinding grain; the grain…
Read More
The pestle is a rounded grinding club often made of the same material as the mortar. Together with the saddle quern (a round stone rolled or rubbed on a flat stone bed), the mortar and pestle was the first means known for grinding grain; the grain…
Read More