As a Noun: 1. A device made up of two parts: a bowl (mortar), and a heavy, blunt object (pestle). Used for grinding ingredients into a very fine paste or powder. English = mortar and pestle. As a Verb or Adjective: 1. To grind or crush something using a mortar and pestle. Note: 1. This sign is a depiction of grinding something while holding a mortar (bowl) and a pestle (tool). Source of this recommended sign: DeafConnectED, Melbourne Polytechnic.