from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Mat \Mat\, n. [AS. matt, meatt, fr. L. matta a mat made of
rushes.]
1. A thick flat fabric of sedge, rushes, flags, husks, straw,
hemp, or similar material, placed on the floor and used
for wiping and cleaning shoes at the door, for covering
the floor of a hall or room to protect its surface, and
for other purposes.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
2. Any similar flat object made of fabric or other material,
such as rubber or plastic, placed flat on a surface for
various uses, as for covering plant houses, putting
beneath dishes or lamps on a table, securing rigging from
friction, and the like.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
3. Anything growing thickly, or closely interwoven, so as to
resemble a mat in form or texture; as, a mat of weeds; a
mat of hair.
[1913 Webster]
4. An ornamental border made of paper, pasterboard, metal,
etc., put under the glass which covers a framed picture;
as, the mat of a daguerreotype.
[1913 Webster]
{Mat grass}. (Bot.)
(a) A low, tufted, European grass ({Nardus stricta}).
(b) Same as {Matweed}.
{Mat rush} (Bot.), a kind of rush ({Scirpus lacustris}) used
in England for making mats.
[1913 Webster]