Carpentry Techniques

noun a slot or rectangular hole cut into a piece of wood or other material, into which another part is fixed to form a joint

verb to cut a slot or hole into a piece of wood or other material

• The carpenter carefully chiseled out the mortise for the door hinge.
• Can you help me with this mortise for the cabinet door?
• I totally messed up the mortise on this project.
• His words seemed to mortise perfectly with her thoughts.

noun a groove or channel cut in a piece of wood or other material, typically forming a right angle with one side

verb to cut a groove or channel in a piece of wood or other material

• The carpenter carefully measured and cut a rabbet joint to join the pieces of wood together.
• I watched a YouTube tutorial on how to make a rabbet joint for my DIY project.
• I totally messed up the rabbet cut on this shelf, it's all crooked now.
• She had to rabbet her expectations for the event after hearing about the limited budget.

noun a saying or proverb

verb past tense of see, to perceive with the eyes

• I saw the CEO giving a presentation at the conference.
• I saw Sarah at the grocery store yesterday.
• I saw the new movie and it was lit!
• He saw through her lies and deception.

verb to insert or fix tightly into a narrow space

adjective having the shape of a wedge; being stuck or jammed in a narrow space

• The door was wedged shut, making it difficult to open.
• I accidentally wedged my foot in between the couch cushions.
• I wedged myself into the packed subway car during rush hour.
• Her schedule was so busy that she felt wedged between work and family commitments.