mortising

Verb

mortise (third-person singular simple present mortises, present participle mortising, simple past and past participle mortised)

1. (transitive) To cut a mortise in.
   • A keyed mortise-and-tenon joint is constructed the same as a doweled mortise and tenon joint except that the tenon projects far enough through the mortise to admit the insertion of a tapering key which draws the mortised piece firmly against the shoulder of the tenon.1918, Herman Frederick Rusch, Shop Work, Joinery-cabinet-making-carpentry, Chicago, Illinois, United States: University of Chicago Press, page 56
2. (transitive) To join by a mortise and tenon.
   • Sculptures from Mohenjodaro and Tell Asmar in 2400 B.C. show wheels consisting of three pieces of wood mortised together, and bound with leather tyres which were attached with copper nails. These wheels turned in one piece with the axle, which was secured to the body of the sledge with leather...1971, Gwen White, Antique Toys And Their Background, page 79
3. To adjust the horizontal space between selected pairs of letters; to kern.

See all 5 meanings of mortise