mat1
n.
- a thick piece of material placed on the floor and used as protection from dirt, for wiping the feet on, or as a decorative rug.
▸a piece of resilient material for landing on in gymnastics, wrestling, or similar sports.
- a small piece of cork, card, or similar material placed on a surface to protect it from the heat or moisture of an object placed on it.
▸
(also mouse mat)
Brit. a small piece of rigid or resilient material on which a computer mouse is moved.
- a thick, untidy layer of hairy or woolly material.
v.
(mats, matting, matted)
[
usu. as adj. matted]
tangle in a thick mass:
matted hair.
Phrase
- on the mat
informal being reprimanded by someone in authority.
[with military reference, in which an accused would stand on the orderly room mat.]
Etymology
OE m(e)att(e), of W. Gmc origin.