also: にゅうはち
noun
Refers to a bowl-shaped vessel used with a pestle for grinding or mixing substances, especially in cooking, pharmacy, or chemistry.
薬草を乳鉢ですりつぶす。
Grind the medicinal herbs in a mortar.
乳鉢と乳棒を使って、スパイスを細かくする。
Use a mortar and pestle to grind the spices finely.
Compound of 乳 (nyū, 'milk') and 鉢 (hachi, 'bowl'), originally referring to a bowl used for grinding or mixing substances, possibly including milk-based preparations. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.