mat

I

[[t]mæt[/t]]

n. v. mat•ted, mat•ting

1) cv a piece of fabric, as of plaited or woven fiber, used on a floor or other surface as a covering

2) cv a smaller piece of material set under an object, as a dish

3) spo a thick pad placed on a floor to protect wrestlers, tumblers, and gymnasts

4) bot a thick tangled mass, as of hair or weeds

5) cv to cover with or as if with mats or matting

6) cv to form into a mat, as by interweaving

7) to form tangled masses

8) idi go to the mat, to support or defend a person or cause with vigor and determination

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Etymology: bef. 900; < LL matta mat of rushes < Semitic mat′less, adj. II

mat

[[t]mæt[/t]] n. v. mat•ted, mat•ting

1) fia material serving as a frame or border for a picture

2) pht fia to provide (a picture) with a mat

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Etymology: 1835–40; appar. mat I, influenced by matte III

mat

[[t]mæt[/t]] adj. n. v. mat•ted, mat•ting

matte

IV

mat

[[t]mæt[/t]] n.

pri

matrix 7)

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Etymology: 1920–25; shortened form of matrix