n. (also mattins) (as sing or pl.) 1 a a service of morning prayer in the Church of England. b the office of one of the canonical hours of prayer, properly a night office, but also recited with lauds at daybreak or on the previous evening. 2 (also matin) poet. the morning song of birds.
[ ME f. OF matines f. eccl.L matutinas, accus. fem. pl. adj. f. L matutinus of the morning f. Matuta dawn-goddess ]