mortise

1 of 2

noun

mor·​tise ˈmȯr-təs 

variants or less commonly mortice

: a hole, groove, or slot into or through which some other part of an arrangement of parts fits or passes

especially : a cavity cut into a piece of material (such as timber) to receive a tenon see dovetail illustration

mortise

2 of 2

verb

variants or less commonly mortice

mortised also morticed; mortising also morticing

transitive verb

1

: to join or fasten securely

specifically : to join or fasten by a tenon and mortise

2

: to cut or make a mortise in

Examples of mortise in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The main hall was constructed with a large timber frame structure fabricated and assembled in a traditional mortise and tenon method, with no steel components. —Kody Boye, USA TODAY, 17 Oct. 2024

The beams were assembled using mortise and tenon joinery, in which a protruding tenon slots into a mortise hole and is held fast with an oak peg. —Aurelien Breeden, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024

Verb

It is mortised throughout and the home's joints were set in white lead. —Alice Adams, Houston Chronicle, 20 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English mortays, from Anglo-French mortais

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mortise

• mortise lock

Kids Definition

mortise

1 of 2 noun

mor·​tise ˈmȯrt-əs 

: a hole or groove cut in a piece of wood or other material into which another piece fits so as to form a joint

mortise

2 of 2 verb

mortised; mortising

1

: to join or fasten securely especially by a tenon and mortise

2

: to cut a mortise in