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mat1
—matless, adj.n.1. a piece of fabric made of plaited or woven rushes, straw, hemp, or similar fiber, or of some other pliant material, as rubber, used as a protective covering on a floor or other surface, to wipe the shoes on, etc.2. a smaller piece of material, often ornamental, set under a dish of food, a lamp, vase, etc.3. Sports.a. the padded canvas covering the entire floor of a wrestling ring, for protecting the contestants from injury when thrown.b. a thick pad placed on the floor for the protection of tumblers and others engaged in gymnastic sports.4. a thickly growing or thick and tangled mass, as of hair or weeds.5. a sack made of matting, as for coffee or sugar.6. a slablike footing of concrete, esp. one for an entire building.7. a heavy mesh reinforcement for a concrete slab.8. go to the mat, to contend or struggle in a determined or unyielding way: The President is going to the mat with Congress over the proposed budget cuts.v.t.9. to cover with or as if with mats or matting.10. to form into a mat, as by interweaving.v.i.11. to become entangled; form tangled masses.[bef. 900; ME, OE matte < LL matta mat of rushes < Sem; cf. Heb mittah bed]mat2n.1. a piece of cardboard or other material placed over or under a drawing, painting, photograph, etc., to serve as a frame or provide a border between the picture and the frame.v.t.2. to provide (a picture) with a mat.[1835-40; appar. MAT1, influenced by MATTE1]mat3matte1.mat4/mat/, n. Print.1. the intaglio, usually of papiermâché, impressed from type or a cut, from which a stereotype plate is cast.[1920-25; shortened form of MATRIX]
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Universalium. 2010.