mat

mat¹ [mæt] n

[Date: 700-800; : Late Latin; Origin: matta]

1.) a small piece of thick rough material which covers part of a floor

▪ Wipe your feet on the mat.

2.) a small flat piece of wood, cloth etc which protects a surface, especially on a table

▪ She wrote her number on a beer mat (=a mat for putting a glass of beer on) .

▪ a mouse mat (=for a computer mouse)

→↑place mat

3.) a piece of thick soft material used in some activities for people to sit on, fall onto etc

▪ a yoga mat

▪ a prayer mat

4.) go to the mat (for sb/sth)

to do everything you can to solve a difficult problem, win an argument, support someone etc

▪ The mayor is willing to go to the mat on this issue.

5.) a thick mass of something such as hairs or leaves

→↑matted mat of

▪ a floating mat of vegetation

→↑matting

mat ²

mat² adj

another spelling of ↑matt