Mortise

Part of speech: noun (n.)

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.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

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.