I. ˈtenən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from tenir to hold — more at tenable
: a projecting member in a piece of wood or other material for insertion into a mortise to make a joint ; especially : one passing entirely through the piece in which a mortise is cut — compare tusk tenon ; see lewis illustration
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
1. : to unite or hold in place by or as if by a tenon
2. : to cut or fit for insertion in a mortise
intransitive verb
: to become fixed in place by means of a tenon