mortel

Mortel is a term used in Dutch to denote mortar, the binding material used in masonry. It is typically a mixture of a binder (such as cement, lime, or gypsum), an aggregate (usually sand), and water. Mortel is applied to bind bricks or stones together and to seal joints in walls, floors, and other constructions. Variants exist for different applications, including rapid-setting mortars for construction work and hydraulic mortars that resist moisture. The quality and composition of mortel are governed by building standards and practical requirements for workability and curing.

In French, mortel is an adjective meaning mortal or pertaining to death; its feminine form is mortelle. It is used to describe things related to mortality or deadly hazard, as in danger mortel or coup mortel. The noun form mortel is uncommon and often replaced by phrases like être mortel or être une créature mortelle in typical usage, but the word can appear in literary, philosophical, or religious contexts when discussing human mortality.

Beyond these linguistic uses, mortel also appears as a title or proper name in various media and cultural contexts within French-speaking regions. As a label, it carries evocative associations with life, death, or endurance, depending on the surrounding context.