I. ˈmach noun
Etymology: Middle English macche, from Old English gemæcca mate, equal; akin to Old English macian to make — more at make
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : a person or thing equal or similar to another
b. : one able to cope with another
c. : an exact counterpart
2. : a pair suitably associated
carpet and curtains are a match
3.
a. : a contest between two or more parties
a golf match
a soccer match
a shouting match
b. : a contest (as in tennis or volleyball) completed when one player or side wins a specified number of sets or games
4.
a. : a marriage union
b. : a prospective partner in marriage
II. verb
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to encounter successfully as an antagonist
b.
(1) : to set in competition or opposition
(2) : to provide with a worthy competitor
c. : to set in comparison
2. : to join or give in marriage
3.
a.
(1) : to put in a set possessing equal or harmonizing attributes
(2) : to cause to correspond : suit
match ed programs to local needs
b.
(1) : to be the counterpart of ; also : to compare favorably with
(2) : to harmonize with
the jacket match ed the pants
c. : to provide with a counterpart
d. : to provide funds complementary to
employers may match the employee contribution — D. J. Miller
4. : to fit together or make suitable for fitting together
5.
a. : to flip or toss (coins) and compare exposed faces
b. : to toss coins with
intransitive verb
: to be a counterpart
• match·able ˈma-chə-bəl adjective
• match·er noun
III. noun
Etymology: Middle English macche, mecche candlewick, from Anglo-French meche
Date: 1549
1. : a chemically prepared wick or cord formerly used in firing firearms or powder
2. : a short slender piece of flammable material (as wood) tipped with a combustible mixture that bursts into flame when slightly heated through friction (as by being scratched against a rough surface)