I. noun
also mor·tice ˈmȯr-təs
Etymology: Middle English mortays, from Anglo-French mortais
Date: 15th century
: a hole, groove, or slot into or through which some other part of an arrangement of parts fits or passes ; especially : a cavity cut into a piece of material (as timber) to receive a tenon — see dovetail illustration
II. transitive verb
also mortice
( mor·tised also mor·ticed ; mor·tis·ing also mor·tic·ing )
Date: 15th century
1. : to join or fasten securely ; specifically : to join or fasten by a tenon and mortise
2. : to cut or make a mortise in