Basic Details
Word: Pestle
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A heavy tool used to crush or grind substances, often in a bowl called a mortar.
Synonyms: Grinder, Crusher, Masher
Antonyms: N/A
Idioms and Phrases
- Grinding away: To work diligently and persistently at a task. Example: "She was grinding away at her homework all night to finish it on time."
- Put the pedal to the metal: To go faster or to increase effort. Example: "Once the project deadline was set, we had to put the pedal to the metal to complete everything."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The chef used a pestle to grind fresh spices for his famous curry.
Example 2: In the science lab, students learned how to use a pestle and mortar to crush solids into powders.
Example 3: The traditional method of preparing medicine often involved using a pestle to mix various herbal ingredients.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the use of pestles dates back thousands of years? Archaeological findings show that ancient Egyptians used pestles to grind grains and medicines long before modern tools were invented.
Famous Quote
"Good things come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle." Abraham Lincoln.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "pestle" mean?
a) A type of fruit
b) A heavy tool for crushing
c) A kind of animal
d) A musical instrument
Answer: b) A heavy tool for crushing
2. Which of these is a synonym of "pestle"?
a) Hammer
b) Grinder
c) Fork
d) Knife
Answer: b) Grinder
3. Which sentence uses "pestle" correctly?
a) I saw a pestle flying in the sky.
b) She used a pestle to crush the garlic.
c) The pestle was swimming in the pond.
d) He painted a picture of a pestle.
Answer: b) She used a pestle to crush the garlic.
4. Which idiom means to work hard at a task?
a) Put the pedal to the metal
b) Grinding away
c) As easy as pie
d) A piece of cake
Answer: b) Grinding away
5. What is the opposite of "pestle"?
a) N/A
b) A spoon
c) A cup
d) A plate
Answer: a) N/A
