Definition: mortise

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

mortise
     n : a square hole made to receive a tenon and so to form a joint
         [syn: mortice]
     v 1: cut a mortise in [syn: mortice]
     2: join by a tenon and mortise [syn: mortice]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Mortise \Mor"tise\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mortised; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Mortising.]
   1. To cut or make a mortisein.

   2. To join or fasten by a tenon and mortise; as, to mortise a
      beam into a post, or a joist into a girder.
Mortise \Mor"tise\, n. [F. mortaise; cf. Sp. mortaja, Ar.
   murtazz fixed, or W. mortais, Ir. mortis, moirtis, Gael.
   moirteis.]
   A cavity cut into a piece of timber, or other material, to
   receive something (as the end of another piece) made to fit
   it, and called a tenon.

   Mortise and tenon (Carp.), made with a mortise and tenon;
      joined or united by means of a mortise and tenon; -- used
      adjectively.

   Mortise joint, a joint made by a mortise and tenon.

   Mortise lock. See under Lock.

   Mortise wheel, a cast-iron wheel, with wooden clogs
      inserted in mortises on its face or edge; -- also called
      mortise gear, and core gear.