what is mortise

A mortise is a specially cut hole, slot, or cavity made in a piece of wood (or other material) so that another shaped piece can fit tightly into it, usually as part of a mortise-and-tenon joint used in woodworking and carpentry. It is typically rectangular and is designed to receive a “tenon,” creating a strong, interlocking connection between two parts, such as in furniture, doors, and timber frames.