Word: mortar (noun)

Associations

Mortar is a mixture used in construction to bind building materials together, like bricks or stones. It can also refer to a type of weapon that fires shells.

• Example 1: "The mason used mortar to hold the bricks together." This shows the construction use of the word, emphasizing its role in building.
• Example 2: "The soldiers prepared the mortar to launch shells at the target." Here, it illustrates the military meaning of the word.
• Example 3: "The old house was built with a strong mortar that has lasted for decades." This example highlights the durability of mortar in construction.

A well-known synonym is "cement." However, cement is a component of mortar, while mortar is the mixture that includes cement, sand, and water. Use "cement" when referring to the powdery substance alone, and "mortar" when talking about the mixture used for construction.

Substitution

In place of "mortar," you could use:

• "adhesive" when referring to a sticky substance used for bonding, but this is more general and not specific to construction.
• "cement" when specifically discussing the powder that is part of mortar.
• "binder" in more general contexts, but it may not convey the same meaning in construction.

Deconstruction

The word "mortar" comes from the Latin word "mortarium," which means a vessel for grinding. The root "mort-" relates to the idea of mixing and binding, while there are no prefixes or suffixes in this case. The historical context shows that mortar has been used since ancient times for construction and warfare.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you saw a building being constructed? How was mortar used in that situation?
• Have you ever used any adhesive or binding materials in your own projects? How did they compare to mortar?
• In what other contexts do you think the word "mortar" could be used beyond construction and military?