1. 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.
Phrases and idioms:
on the mat sl. being reprimanded (orig. in the army, on the orderly-room mat before the commanding officer).
Etymology: OE m(e)att(e) f. WG f. LL matta 2.var. of MATT.3. n. MATRIX 1.
Etymology: abbr.