mortarboard
pronunciation
How to pronounce mortarboard in British English:
UK ['mɔ:təbɔ:d]
How to pronounce mortarboard in American English:
US ['mɔtəˌboʊrd]
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- Noun:
- a square board with a handle underneath; used by masons to hold or carry mortar
- an academic cap with a flat square with a tassel on top
Word Origin
- mortarboard (n.)
- also mortar-board, "academic cap," 1854, probably from mortar (1) + board (n.1); so called because it resembles a mason's square board for carrying mortar. Earlier it was called a mortar cap (1680s) or simply morter (c. 1600), from French mortier.