<p><strong>Noun:</strong></p><ul><li>A notch, hole, groove, or slot made in a piece of wood or the like to receive a tenon of the same dimensions.</li><li>A deep recess cut into wood for any of several other purposes, as for receiving a mortise lock.</li><li>Printing: a space cut out of a plate, especially for the insertion of type or another plate.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb:</strong></p><ul><li>(used with object) Mortised, mortising: to secure with a mortise and tenon.</li><li>To cut or form a mortise in (a piece of wood or the like).</li><li>To join securely.</li><li>Printing: to cut metal from (a plate).</li><li>To cut out metal from a plate and insert (new material) in its place.</li></ul>