1. a rectangular hole cut into a piece of wood or other material to receive a tenon
Usage: carpentry

1. to cut a mortise in something
Usage: carpentry
2. to join by means of a mortise and tenon
Usage: carpentry

Examples

• The carpenter carefully cut a mortise in the wooden beam.
• Each mortise must be precisely measured to fit the tenon.
• He used a chisel to mortise the joint.
• The furniture maker mortised the legs into the table top.
• A mortise and tenon joint creates a strong connection.
• She learned to mortise wood in her woodworking class.
• The mortise was too shallow for the tenon to fit properly.