what does opposite of mortise mean
1. mortise-a square hole made to receive a tenon and so to form a joint. mortice. hole-an opening deliberately made in or through something. mortise-and-tenon joint, mortise joint-a joint made by inserting tenon on one piece into mortise holes in the other.. 1. (Building) a slot or recess, usually rectangular, cut into a piece of wood, stone, etc, to receive a matching projection (tenon) of another piece, or a mortise lock. 2. (Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) printing a cavity cut into a letterpress printing plate into which type or another plate is inserted.