mortar-board

A graduate proudly tosses her mortar-board into the air.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A square board used by bricklayers for holding mortar: "mortar-board" refers to a flat, square board with a handle underneath, used by masons to hold and carry mortar while laying bricks or tiles.
   • An academic cap: "mortar-board" also denotes a traditional flat, square hat with a tassel, worn by graduates and faculty at academic ceremonies, such as graduations.

Usage Examples

• Bricklaying tool:

  • The bricklayer carried his mortar-board across the construction site. (A board used to hold mortar for bricklaying.)
  • She carefully mixed the cement on the mortar-board before applying it to the wall. (The board used as a work surface for mortar.)

• Academic cap:

  • Graduates wore their mortar-boards during the commencement ceremony. (The square academic cap worn at graduation.)
  • He tossed his mortar-board into the air to celebrate finishing university. (The traditional hat thrown in celebration.)

Advanced Usage

• "to wear a mortar-board": to be a graduate or to participate in an academic ceremony.

  • After four years of study, she finally wore a mortar-board and received her diploma. (She participated in the graduation ceremony wearing the academic cap.)

• "mortar-board toss": a celebratory tradition where graduates throw their caps into the air after the ceremony.

  • The mortar-board toss marked the end of the graduation ceremony. (The tradition of throwing caps.)

Variants and Related Words

• Mortar (n): a mixture of lime, cement, sand, and water used in bricklaying.

  • The mason applied mortar between the bricks. (The binding material used in construction.)

• Board (n): a flat piece of material, such as wood or plastic.

  • He placed the tools on a board. (A flat surface.)

Synonyms

• For the bricklaying tool: hawk (a similar tool with a handle, used for holding mortar).
• For the academic cap: cap, graduation cap, square cap.

Phrasal Verbs

• (None directly associated with "mortar-board"; it is a noun compound and not used as a verb.)

Related Idioms

• "to get one's mortar-board": an informal expression meaning to graduate from university.
  • After years of hard work, he finally got his mortar-board. (He graduated.)