What characteristic defines a mortise lock compared to surface-mounted rim locks?

Answer

It integrates the cylinder, latch, and deadbolt into one unit housed inside the door.

A mortise lock involves a mechanism housed entirely within a large hole cut into the edge of the door, integrating the locking cylinder, latch, and deadbolt into one self-contained unit.

What characteristic defines a mortise lock compared to surface-mounted rim locks?
inventionsecuritymechanismlockdoor