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mortise definition

mor·tise (môrt′is)

noun

a hole or recess cut, as in a piece of wood, to receive a projecting part (tenon) shaped to fit into it, or to receive a lock

Etymology: ME mortays < MFr mortaise, a mortise < Ar murtazza, joined, fixed in

transitive verb mortised -·tised, mortising -·tis·ing

  1. to join or fasten securely, esp. with a mortise and tenon
  2. to cut a mortise in

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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