[match] n [ME macche, fr. OE gemaecca mate, equal; akin to OE macian to make--more at make] (bef. 12c) 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 ~" 3 a: a contest between two or more parties "a golf ~" "a soccer ~" "a shouting ~" 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
[2]match vt (14c) 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 b (1): to be the counterpart of; also: to compare favorably with (2): to harmonize with c: to provide with a counterpart d: to provide funds complementary to
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 ~ vi: to be a counterpart -- match.able adj -- match.er n [3]match n [ME macche, fr. MF meiche] (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)