rabbet
Americannoun
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a deep notch formed in or near one edge of a board, framing timber, etc., so that something else can be fitted into it or so that a door or the like can be closed against it.
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a broad groove let into the surface of a board or the like; dado.
verb (used with object)
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to cut a rabbet in (a board or the like).
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to join (boards or the like) by means of a rabbet or rabbets.
verb (used without object)
noun
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a recess, groove, or step, usually of rectangular section, cut into a surface or along the edge of a piece of timber to receive a mating piece
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a joint made between two pieces of timber using a rabbet
verb
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to cut or form a rabbet in (timber)
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to join (pieces of timber) using a rabbet
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of rabbet
1350–1400; Middle English rabet < Old French rabat, derivative of rabattre to beat back, beat down; see rebate 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The entrance was cut out of a massive piece of rock, left thick on purpose, and on either side of the opening the edges still show the rabbet which was to receive the door.
From Manners and Monuments of Prehistoric Peoples by D'Anvers, N.
Fig. 266-33 Mortise and tenon with rabbet No. 34.
From Handwork in Wood by Noyes, William
For the outside rabbet, one piece 1�1 inch, 371/2 long; this nailed to the end of the box forms rabbet for the trays to rest on.
From The Apple by Various
The carpenter's dependence on this tool lessened only after the perfection of multipurpose metallic planes that could be readily converted to cut a "rabbet."
From Woodworking Tools 1600-1900 by Welsh, Peter C.
A framing composed of coamings and head-ledges raised above the deck, with a top which shuts closely over into a rabbet.
From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.