[ noun ] a projection at the end of a piece of wood that is shaped to fit into a mortise and form a mortise joint <noun.artifact>
Tenon \Ten"on\, n. [F., fr. tenir to hold. See {Tenable}.] (Carp. & Join.) A projecting member left by cutting away the wood around it, and made to insert into a mortise, and in this way secure together the parts of a frame; especially, such a member when it passes entirely through the thickness of the piece in which the mortise is cut, and shows on the other side. Cf. {Tooth}, {Tusk}.
{Tenon saw}, a saw with a thin blade, usually stiffened by a brass or steel back, for cutting tenons. [Corruptly written {tenant saw}.] --Gwilt.
Tenon \Ten"on\, v. t. To cut or fit for insertion into a mortise, as the end of a piece of timber.