— mortiser , n.
/mawr"tis/ , n. , v. , mortised, mortising .
n.
1. a notch, hole, groove, or slot made in a piece of wood or the like to receive a tenon of the same dimensions.
2. a deep recess cut into wood for any of several other purposes, as for receiving a mortise lock.
3. Print. a space cut out of a plate, esp. for the insertion of type or another plate.
v.t.
4. to secure with a mortise and tenon.
5. to cut or form a mortise in (a piece of wood or the like).
6. to join securely.
7. Print.
a. to cut metal from (a plate).
b. to cut out metal from a plate and insert (new material) in its place.
Also, mortice .
[ 1350-1400; ME morteys, mortaise mortais ( e ), OF mortoise, of obscure orig. ]