'Mortise' definitions:

Definition of 'mortise'

From: WordNet
noun
A square hole made to receive a tenon and so to form a joint [syn: mortise, mortice]
verb
Cut a hole for a tenon in [syn: mortise, mortice]
verb
Join by a tenon and mortise [syn: mortice, mortise]

Definition of 'Mortise'

From: GCIDE
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Mortise'

From: GCIDE
  • Mortise \Mor"tise\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mortised; p. pr. & vb. n. Mortising.]
  • 1. To cut or make a mortise in. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To join or fasten by a tenon and mortise; as, to mortise a beam into a post, or a joist into a girder. [1913 Webster]