trowel Hear it!

trowel definition

trowel (tro̵u′əl)

noun

any of several small hand tools for spreading, smoothing, scooping, etc.; specif.,
  1. a tool with a thin, flat, rectangular blade, used for smoothing plaster
  2. a tool with a thin, flat, pointed blade for applying and shaping mortar, as in bricklaying
  3. a tool with a pointed scoop for loosening soil, digging holes, etc. in a garden

Etymology: ME truel < MFr truelle < LL truella for L trulla, small ladle, scoop, trowel < trua, stirring spoon, ladle, prob. < IE base *twer-, to stir > turbid

transitive verb troweled -·eled or trowelled -·elled, troweling -·el·ing or trowelling -·el·ling

to spread, smooth, shape, dig, etc. with a trowel

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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