rhizoverbBeta
DictionarymortiseJoint socket
noun / verb

mortise

MOR-tis/ˈmɔːrtɪs/

A recess cut to receive a matching projection, or to join pieces using one.

The tenon fits snugly into the mortise in the chair leg.

A near-overhead workbench close-up of a freshly cut rectangular mortise, with a matching shouldered tenon laid flat beside it for comparison rather than positioned as an exploded joint.
Etymology
mortiseOld Frenchmortise

Old French mortaise supplies the name for a receiving hole. In carpentry, this is a recess shaped to accept a matching tenon and form a joint; the word's deeper origin is uncertain.

In context

Guys Shop7:02
this hole is round so you have a choice you can either square up the round ends in the mortise or just round the ends on the tenin
How To: Make a Mortise and Tenon using only the Router Table/Woodworking How To

More examples

  • She cuts two mortises in each post.
  • The carpenter mortises the rails into the posts.
  • An oversized mortise can weaken the entire joint.

Forms

mortise · mortises · mortised · mortising

mortiser noun — A machine that cuts mortises in wood.

Similar words

socket
Any hollow that receives another part, not specifically a tenon.
recess
A hollow or indentation, not necessarily made for joining.