/mat"n/ , n.
1. ( often cap. ) matins . Also, esp. Brit., mattins . ( usually used with a sing. v. ) Eccles.
a. the first of the seven canonical hours.
b. the service for it, properly beginning at midnight, but sometimes beginning at daybreak.
c. Also called Morning Prayer . the service of public prayer, said in the morning, in the Anglican Church.
2. Archaic. aubade.
adj.
3. Also, matinal . pertaining to the morning or to matins.
[ 1200-50; ME matyn (pl. matines ) matin matutinus MATUTINAL ]