[mawr-tis] 
noun, verb, -tised, -tis⋅ing.| 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. | Printing. a space cut out of a plate, esp. for the insertion of type or another plate. |
| 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. | Printing.
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mor·tise also mor·tice (môr'tĭs)  (click for larger image in new window) n.
[Middle English mortaise, from Old French, perhaps from Arabic murtazz, fastened, from irtazza, to be fixed (in place), derived stem of razza, to fix, insert; see rzz in Semitic roots.] |