Definition

1. Noun:
   • Mortar: A portable, muzzle-loading artillery weapon that fires explosive projectiles (mortar bombs) at high angles, primarily used for indirect fire support over short distances.
   • A type of firecracker: A large, powerful firecracker, often a bundle or roll of smaller firecrackers, known for its loud bang.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Weapon):
  • Tiếng pháo cối vang lên dồn dập. (The sound of mortar fire echoed intensely.)
  • Binh lính triển khai pháo cối trên đồi. (The soldiers deployed the mortar on the hill.)
• Noun (Firecracker):
  • Tết đến, trẻ con thích đốt pháo cối. (During Tet, children like to set off large firecrackers.)
  • Tiếng nổ của pháo cối rất lớn. (The bang from the large firecracker is very loud.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in military contexts to distinguish this specific, short-barreled artillery piece from other types of cannons or guns ().

Variants and Related Words

• Súng cối (n): Another term for a mortar (weapon), literally "mortar gun."
• Đạn cối (n): Mortar round, mortar bomb.
• Pháo (n): General term for artillery, cannon, or firecracker.

Synonyms

• Mortar (for the weapon).
• Large firecracker, salute (for the firework).

Notes on Different Meanings

• The primary modern meaning is the military weapon. The meaning referring to a large firecracker is traditional and colloquial, relating to festive occasions. Context is essential to determine which meaning is intended.

1. Mortar