MAT

n. & v. --n. 1 a piece of coarse material for wiping shoes on, esp. a doormat. 2 a piece of cork, rubber, plastic, etc., to protect a surface from the heat or moisture of an object placed on it. 3 a piece of resilient material for landing on in gymnastics, wrestling, etc. 4 a piece of coarse fabric of plaited rushes, straw, etc., for lying on, packing furniture, etc. 5 a small rug. --v. (matted, matting) 1 a tr. (esp. as matted adj.) entangle in a thick mass (matted hair). b intr. become matted. 2 tr. cover or furnish with mats. øon the mat sl. being reprimanded (orig. in the army, on the orderly-room mat before the commanding officer). [OE m(e)att(e) f. WG f. LL matta]