mortise

noun/ˈmɔrtɪs/

Frequency rank: #19,612 most common English word

Meaning

A rectangular cavity cut into a piece of wood or other material to receive a corresponding tenon and form a joint.

Illustration for the English word “mortise”

Example sentence

The carpenter cut mortise into the wooden beam so that the tenon could fit snugly inside.

Synonyms & related words

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