(also mat·tins ) / ˈmætɪnz; NAmE ˈmætnz/ noun
[ U ] the service of morning prayer, especially in the Anglican Church
—compare evensong , vespers
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French matines , plural (influenced by Church Latin matutinae morning prayers) of matin morning, from Latin matutinum , neuter of matutinus early in the morning, from Matuta , the name of the dawn goddess.