\Mor"tise\, n. [F. mortaise; cf. Sp. mortaja, Ar.
murtazz fixed, or W. mortais, Ir. mortis, moirtis, Gael.
moirteis.]
A cavity cut into a piece of timber, or other material, to
receive something (as the end of another piece) made to fit
it, and called a tenon.
{Mortise and tenon} (Carp.), made with a mortise and tenon;
   joined or united by means of a mortise and tenon; -- used
   adjectively.
{Mortise joint}, a joint made by a mortise and tenon.
{Mortise lock}. See under {Lock}.
{Mortise wheel}, a cast-iron wheel, with wooden clogs
   inserted in mortises on its face or edge; -- also called
   {mortise gear}, and {core gear}.

\Mor"tise\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mortised}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Mortising}.]
1. To cut or make a mortisein.
2. To join or fasten by a tenon and mortise; as, to mortise a
   beam into a post, or a joist into a girder.