mortise

C2 Topic:Materials & Substances

Also spelled morticing

US /ˈmɔrtɪs/ UK /ˈmɔːtɪs/ See IPA manual

Freq #101222

Meanings

1

noun
a rectangular cavity cut in one piece of material to receive a matching tenon and form a joint

The carpenter cut a mortise in the post and fitted the rail's tenon into it.
2

verb
to join pieces with a mortise and tenon, or to cut a mortise in something

The frame was carefully mortised and pegged without metal fasteners.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a rectangular cavity cut in... morticesocket

2 verb · to join pieces with a... morticejoint

Word family

Forms mortised

Derived forms mortisermortising

Related forms tenonjoinerydovetail

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

mortise joint
a connection made by fitting a projecting tenon into a matching hole

Noun + noun

Etymology

From Middle English morteys and Old French mortaise. The French word is often traced to Arabic murtazz, 'fastened,' from a verb meaning to fix firmly. Mortice is the established British spelling variant.

Topics

Materials & Substances

External links

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