Pēs'tle1, n.
(pĕs'l) (Synop., § 130), n. [L. Lat. pestellum, Lat. pistillum, pistillus, a pounder, pestle, from pistare, to pound, verb intensive from pisere, pinsere, to pound, crush; It. pestello, O. Fr. pestoi].
- An instrument for pounding and breaking substances in a mortar.
- A short bludgeon formerly carried by officers of the peace; — so called from its shape. Toone.
Pestle of pork, a leg of pork; — so called from its shape.