matachin 
Whoever saw a matachin dance to Imitate fighting, this 
wa> a Hglit that did imitate the matachin. 
Sir P. Sidney, Arcadia. 
It wns well known In France ami Italy by the name of 
the dance of fools or imitat-hi n*, who were habited in short 
jackets, with gilt paper helmets, long streamers tiril l.. 
their shoulders, and IH-HS to their legs. They carried In 
thrir ImmU a sword and buckler, with which they made 
a clashing noise, and performed various quick and spright- 
ly ^volutions. 
Uaact, Illus. of Shaksperc, II. 43fl. (Kara.) 
To dance a matachin, to tight a duel with swords. 
I'd dance a matachin with you 
Should make you sweat your hest blood for 't. 
Fletcher (and another), Elder Brother, v. 1. 
We may thereby perchance, 
I'.i c many springs, compelled be la dance 
Another Mnt<r<'hn>. 
Wither, Speculum Speculatlvum (1680), p. 26. 
mataco (mat'a-ko), . [S. Amer.] A small 
three-banded armadillo, the apar or apara, Dn- 
xypus or TolyjM-utrs trit-inctus. Also matacho, 
matico. See cut under apar. 
matador (mat-a-dor'}, n. [< 8p. matador (< L. 
mactator), a slayer, <. matar, kill, < L. mactare, 
kill, sacrifice : see mactatioit, mactator.'] 1. A 
killer; specifically, the man appointed to kill 
the bull in bull-fights. He carries In his right hand 
a naked sword, and In his left the muleta, a small stick 
with a piece of scarlet silk attached, with which, after the 
animal has been sufficiently tormented by the picadors 
and handerllleros, he draws Its attention to himself, and 
then kills It by plunging his sword into its neck. Also 
written ntatadvrr. 
In costly sheen and gaudy cloak array'd. 
But all afoot, the llght-limb'd Hatadort 
Stands in the centre, eager to invade 
The lord of lowing herds. 
Byron, Chnde Harold, L 74. 
2. One of the three principal cards in the 
games of omber and quadrille. These three are 
the ace of clubs, the ace of spades, and the two of trumps 
should clubs or spades be trumps, or the seven of trumps 
should hearts or diamonds be trumps. 
Now move to war her sable Matadurei 
In show like leaders of the swarthy Moors. 
Pope, R. of the L., 111. 47. 
3. In the game of solo, the spadella, manilla, 
or basta (which three are known as the higher 
matadors), and, if these are all obtained by one 
side, any one of all lower cards held in unin- 
terrupted sequence in one hand: the latter are 
known as Inirrr matadors. 
mataeology, . See mateology. 
matafund (mat'a-fund), . [< ML. matafniida, 
appar. < Sp. matar, kill (see matador), + L. 
f Hilda, a sling.] Same as matafiinda. 
matafunda (mat-a-fun'dft), n. [ML.: seemata- 
/</.] An old military engine which threw 
stones by means of a sling, drone. 
That murderous sllug, 
The matqfitnda, whence the ponderous stone 
bled fierce. Southey, Joan of Arc, viii. 
matagasset, [Also mattagexxe, mattagess; 
< F. (Savoyard) matagasse. a shrike, lit. 'kill- 
magpie,' < mater (= Sp. Pg. matar, < L. mactare), 
kill,+ agasfti-.ai/iii'i'.x magpie.] Thegreatgray 
shrike or butcher-bird of Europe, Lanius excu- 
bitor. 
Though the matagame bee a hawke of none account or 
price, neyther with us in any use. 
Bonk of Falcnnrie or Haickinge (London, 1611). 
matai (mat'i). M. [Native name.] A coniferous 
tree of New Zealand, Podoearpus xiticata, with 
a pale or reddish soft durable wood. 
matamata (mat-a-mat'a), w. [S. Amer.] 1. 
A pleurodirous tortoise of the genus ('lii!i/*, ('. 
timhriat/i or niiitaiinita. Its brown carapace is cover- 
ed with pyramidal eminences, and Its body is curiously flm- 
briated. It inhabits the fresh waters of Brazil. See cut 
under Chelydida. 
2. [<(;*.] [NL.] A genus of such turtles: a 
synonym of Chclyx. Mrrn-ni. 18:W. 
matapl (mat'a-pi). H. [S. Amer.] A pliable 
basket used in South America and the West 
Indies for extracting the poisonous juice from 
the manioc-root. The basket Is first compressed so as 
to increase Its diameter: it is then filled with the grated 
manioc and hung up with a weight attached to the lower 
end. As its diameter decreases under the tension the 
juice Hows out through the Interstices. 
mat-boat (mat'bot), H. In hijdraul. cni/iii., in. 
frame of ways resting on scows, on which mat 
for revetment is made, and from which it is 
launched into position to prevent scour on a 
rivor-bank or elsewhere. E. H. Knight. Also 
called matting-boat. 
mat-braid (mat'brad), n. A thick braid, solid 
and closely woven, used for trimming, for the 
binding of heavy garments, ami the like. 
match 1 (niiii-h). H. [< MK. miili-li<, mi/flit, 
minrlii'. miii-ln; Hiiri-lii; uiii-ln; < AS. iji iitircca, a 
companion, a secondary form of at-mncn. a com- 
3653 
panion, whence E. rnafc ,and by corruption mate: 
see make'*, mafr 1 .] 1 . A companion or fellow ; a 
prrson or thing considered in comparison with 
another ; one of a pair, or of a possible pair, as 
a married or marriageable man or woman, a 
competitor, or an agreeing or harmonizing ob- 
jl'Ct. 
Sowlthniarschalather[their|meteiueuskcdthay were, . . . 
A M li tuon with his mach made hym at ese. 
Alliterative Poem* (ed. Morris), H. 124. 
Search out a match 
Within our kingdom, where and when thou wilt, 
And I will pay thy dowry. 
Beau, and ft., Phllaster, v. 6. 
I ihln t I refuse Sir Tivy Terrier, who every body said 
would have been a better match - 
Sheridan, School for Scandal, III. 1. 
2. A person or thing that is equal to or on 
equal terms with another in any respect ; one 
fit or qualified to mate or cope with another; a 
peer: as, I am no match for you in argument. 
The all-seeing sun 
Ne'er saw her match since first the world begun. 
Shot., R. and J., L 2. 98. 
Hannibal, a conqueror all his life, met with his match, 
and was subdued at last. Burton, Aunt, of Mel., p. 172. 
Hrydeii then betook himself to a weapon at which he was 
not likely to find his match. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., viL 
3. A pair; a couple; two persons, things, or 
sets mated or suited to each other: as, the 
horses are an exact match in height, color, or 
gait. 4. A mating or pairing; a coupling; a 
joining of two persons, things, or sets for any 
purpose. Specifically (a) A joining in marriage; amar- 
riage engagement. 
I would effect 
The match between Sir Thurio and my daughter. 
Shot., T. O. of V., ill 2. 23. 
(6) An engagement for a contest or game ; the contest or 
game Itself: as, a match at billiards; a shooting win Wi . 
the terms of a match. 
A felle fight and a fuerse fell horn betwene, 
But vnmete [unequal | was the Macche at the mene tj me. 
Datruction of Troy (E. E. T. 8.), 1. 1324. 
Ferrers his taberd with rich verry spread, 
Well known in many a warlike match before. 
Draytan, Barons' Wars, iL 
When a match at foot-ball is made, two parties, each 
containing an equal number of competitors, take the field, 
and stand between two goals. 
Strutt, Sports and Pastimes, p. 168. 
Hence 5t. An agreement or engagement in 
general; a bargain. 
When he first bought her [the ship!, I thlnke he had 
made a saving match if he had then sunck her, and never 
set her forth. 
Sherley, quoted in Bradford's Plymouth Plantation, p. 308. 
Queen Katherin she a match did make, 
As plainly doth appear. 
For three hundred tun of good red wine, 
And three hundred] tun of heere. 
Jiobin Hood* Chant (Child's Ballads, V. 321). 
It is a match. Sir, I will not fall von, God willing, to be at 
Amwell Hill to-morrow morning before sunrislng. 
/. Walton, Complete Angler, p. 56. 
A set match', an intrigue or conspiracy. 
Lest they should think this a tet match betwixt the 
brethren. Bp. Hall, Aaron's Censer. 
Consolation match. See contolation. Grinnlng- 
match. See grin ' . 
match 1 (mach), r. [< ME. matchen, niacchen. 
match: from the noun.] I. trans. 1. To mate 
or couple; bring together in association or co- 
operation; join in action, comparison, contest, 
or competition: as, they are well matched; to 
matrh coins in gaming; to match cruelty with 
cunning. 
Ector met hym with mayn. macchit hym so harde, 
That he gird to the ground ft the gost past. 
Detraction of Troy (E. E. T. S.), 1. 8215. 
Then (came) the reign of a queen matched with a for- 
eigner, linfini. Advancement of Learning, ii. 181. 
Match Raphael's grace with thy lov'd Guide's air. 
Pope, Epistle to Jervas, 1. 36. 
He is matched to trot, and is continually breaking into 
a gallop. De Quiiicry. Rhetoric. 
2. To join suitably or conformably; bring into 
agreement; make harmonious or correspon- 
dent: as, a pair of matched horses; tomatch the 
parts of a machine. 
Let poets match their subject to their strength. 
Rotcommon, On Poetry. 
So well was match'd the tartan screen 
With heath-bell dark and brackens green. 
Scott, L. of the L., ill. 81. 
3. To be a match for; be able to compete with; 
equal: as, no one can match him in his spe- 
cialty. 
No settled senses of the world can match 
The pleasure of that madness. 
SAa*.,W.T.,v. 8.72. 
Onr waking conceptions do not match the fancies of our ' 
sleeps. Sir T. Brotntf, Rellglo Medici, II. 11. 
match 
A king's palace In France or England would not matrh 
the home of a Koscari in \ --nil '. in Ix-itutiful and luxuri- 
ous appointments. D. <J. Mitchell, Bound Togeth. r ii. 
4. To furnish or show a match, counterpart, or 
competitor for; find or provide something to 
agree or harmonize with: as, to match com- 
batants for any contest; to match a jewel or a 
ribbon. 
At Hnhlns the Eye-maker, I saw Drawers full of all sorts 
of Eyes, admirable for the contrivance, to match with great 
exactness any Iris whatsoever : This being a case where 
mismatching is intolerable. 
Litter, Journey to Paris, p. 144. 
No history or antiquity can match his policies and his 
conduct. South. 
To match colors. See color. 
II. intranx. If. To contend. 
Thus macchit those men till the merke night. 
Vettruction of Troy (E. E. T. 8.X L 9SI9. 
2. To form a union ; become joined or mated, 
as in marriage. 
Against her friend's minds, she matched with an ancient 
man who had neither honesty nor ability, and one whom 
she had no affection unto. 
Winthrnp, Hist. Xew England, II. 190. 
Let tigers match with hinds, and wolves with sheep. 
Dryden, Spanish Friar. 
3. To be of corresponding size, figure, or qual- 
ity; tally; suit; harmonize; correspond: as, 
these colors do not match To match, correspond- 
ing, suiting, or harmonizing In style, color, or any other 
respect. 
The landlord ... In ... drab breeches and boots with 
tops to match. Kekent, Oliver Twist, xxxiii. 
match 2 (mach). . [< ME. macche, < OF. mesche, 
meixchc, F. merhc, the wick of a candle, a match 
to fire a gun, = Pr. mecha, meca = Sp. Pg. 
mecha = It. miccia, a match, < ML. mixa, "myxa, 
iiii.i-iix, L. myxug, in., a wick, the part of a lamp 
through which the wick protrudes, the nozle, < 
Gr. /ufa. the nozle of a lamp, a nostril, mucus, 
akin to L. mucus, mucus: see mucux.] If. The 
wick of a lamp or candle. 
Of a torche 
The blase beo blowen out, gut brenneth the weke. 
Wlthonten lye and lyght, llth [remalnethl fuyr in the 
macche. Pirn Ploirman (C), xx. 179. 
Of the grapes which this Palma Christ! or Rlclnns doth 
carle, there be made excellent wicks or matches tor lamp* 
and candles. Holland, tr. of Pliny, xxill. 4. 
2. In general, anything that takes fire readily 
either from a spark or by friction, and is used 
for retaining, conveying, and communicating 
fire. Formerly, hemp, flax, cotton, or tow dipped In sul- 
phur, coarse paper saturated with niter, a species of dry 
wood called touchwood, etc., were in common use as 
matches; and for military purposes a slow-burning cord 
was used. (See wwfcA-rorrf, match-lack, match-tub.) Early 
In the nineteenth century an improvement was introduced 
In the form of a thin slip of wood tipped with sulphur or 
other combustible matter, which ignited when brought 
Into contact with phosphorus contained in a box or vial. 
All other domestic devices of the kind, however, were su- 
perseded by the friction-match, which was Introduced 
about 1830. See/oco/oco, lucifer, conyreve, tetuman,/utee, 
and rtxta. 
Giving a trifle for oyl, about midnight we departed, hav- 
ing here met with good store of company: such as were 
allowed travelling with their matchet light, and prepared 
to receive all onsets. Sandyi, Travailes, p. 90. 
3. In a special sense, a slow-match having the 
form of a line or cord of indefinite length. See 
match-cord. 
We took a piece of match, such as soldiers use, of the 
thickness of a man's little finger, or somewhat thicker. 
Boyle, Works, I. 29. 
The soldiers tied their links of match about their mid- 
dle. MUlan, in Grow'! Mint Antiquities, I. lea 
4t. A match-lock musket. 
A great many they were of goodly well proportioned fel- 
lowes, as grim as Diuels; yet the very sight of cocking our 
matchet, and being to let fly, a few wordes caused them to 
leaue their bowes and arrowes to our guard. 
Quoted in Capt. John Smilh'n Works, I. 211. 
Chemical match, a sort of friction-match, first manu- 
factured at Vienna, tipped with sulphur, and having the 
end covered with a compound of sngar and chlorate of 
potash, colored with vermilion, and made adhesive with 
glue. For Ignition It was dipped Into a vial containing 
sulphuric acid. Also called diptjiiint. Incendiary 
match. See incendiary. Qnlck-match. a match made 
with threads of cotton or with cotton wick, steeped in 
gummed brandy or whisky, then soaked in a paste of 
mealed powder and gummed splrits,and afterward strewed 
with mealed powder. It burns at the rate of a yard in IS 
seconds, and is used to prime heavy mortars, etc. gaiety- 
match, a kind of match which will not Ignite by friction 
unless rubbed on a specially prepared surface, as the side 
of a box, containing the phosphorus or other necessary part 
of the combustible composition. Slow-match, a match 
made to burn very slowly, as at the rate of 4 or 5 Inches 
an hour, and used for blasting purposes, artillery, etc., and 
formerly for firing the matchlock. To prime a match, 
to render it easily ignitible by putting on the end of it 
some wet bruised powder made into a sort of paste. 
match 2 (mach). r. t. [< match 2 , .] To purify, 
as a vessel, by burning a match or matches in 
it. Im/>. Diet. 
