matterful 
What a sweet, unpretending, pretty-mannered, matter- 
}\d creature ! Lamb, To Wordsworth (181SX p. 97. 
matterless (mat'er-loH), a. [< mutter + -I<:*K.\ 
Void of matter, substance, or significance ; im- 
material, cither literally or figuratively ; of no 
consequence or importance. 
All tine noise 
Of verse, meere matterletse and tinkling tolea. 
B. Jonsoii, tr. of Horace's Art of Poetry. 
Like *h:iil-s . . . quite matterlegse. 
Dames, Wittes Pilgrimage, p. 35. (Darter) 
The sky is only the matterletw limit of vision. 
Boardman, Creative Week, p. 84. 
matter-of-course (mat'er-ov-kors'), a. Pro- 
ceeding as a natural consequence; following 
naturally as a thing to be expected or about 
which there can be no question. 
I won't have that sort of tnatter-of-rnurse acquiescence. 
T. //:/'". Tom Brown at Oxford, xxx. 
matter-of-fact (mat'er-ov-fakf), a. 1. Con- 
sisting of or pertaining to facts; not fanciful, 
imaginative, or ideal ; ordinary ; commonplace : 
applied to things. 
His passion for matter -of fact narrative sometimes be- 
1 1 :i V'l liiin Into a long relation of common incidents. 
/-./'. To Wilson. 
The common tnatter-of-fact world of sense and sight. 
Caird. 
The man said good morning, in a mottrr-o/-/ac way. 
The Century, XXXVI. 823. 
2. Adhering to facts ; not given to wander be- 
yond realities; unimaginative; prosaic: ap- 
plied to persons. 
One of our company, a doctor of divinity, and a plain 
matter-of-fact man. Boeicell, Johnson. 
mattery (raat'er-i). (i. [< mutter + -01.] 1. 
Full of matter that is, of thought or facts: 
significant; weighty. [Rare.] 
Away with your mattery sentences, Momus ; they are 
too grave and wise for this meeting. 
B. JtingftH, Poetaster, iv. :t. 
2. Purulent; generating pus. [Kare.] 
The putrid vapours colliquate the phlegmatlck humours 
of the body, which, transcending to the lungs, causes their 
mattery cough. llarvey, Consumptions. (Latham.) 
Matthew Walker knot. See knot 1 . 
Matthieu-Plessy green. See green 1 . 
Matthiola (mat-thi'o-ia), . [NL. (R. Brown, 
18112), named after P. A. Mattioli, an Italian 
physician of the 16th century.] A genus of 
plants of the order ('rucifera; and tribe Ara- 
bidcw, characterized by a long many-seeded sil- 
ique, and stigmas often thickened or horned 
at the back. They are hoary herbs or low branching 
shrubs, with ohlong or linear leaves, which are entire or 
sinuate, and with rather large flowers, usually purple or 
white and growing in bractless racemes. There are about 
3tt species, natives of Europe, the Mediterranean region, 
and western Asia. To this genus belong the numberless 
varieties of stock or stock-gillyflower of the gardens. '/ 
iiimnii includes the biennial sorts, the Brompton stock, 
queen stock, and others. It is wild along the Mediterra- 
nean coast-line, etc. (See i/ttluAoirer, 8, and Aopc.) Si. 
in ruin of southern Europe, perhaps a variety of the last, 
furnishes the ten-week stocks. Another variety, by some 
considered a distinct species (M. Grata), is the smooth- 
leafed or wallflower-leafed stock. .V. trixti*, of southern 
Europe, is the dark-flowered or night-scented stock, witli 
lurid flowers pleasantly fragrant in the evening. 
mattie (mat'i). ;/. Same as ma tie. 
matting 1 (mat'ing), w. [Verbal u. of wM, r.] 
1. Materials for mats; matwork. 2. A fab- 
ric of some coarse material, as rushes, flags, 
grass, straw, hemp, bamboo, etc., used for cov- 
ering floors, as a packing for some kinds of 
goods, and for various other purposes. 
All around us, what powers are wrapped up under the 
coarse mattings of custom, and all wonder prevented. 
Emerson, New England Reformers. 
3. iVt., a texture made of strands of old rope, 
or of spun-yarn, beaten flat and interwoven, 
used to prevent chafing. 4. The mat of a pic- 
ture . Canton matting. Same as India matting. Co- 
coanut matting, miming made of coir, especially that 
which Is heavy and thick and rather open in texture. It 
is used especially for floor-covering in places where much 
wear is expected. Grass matting, malting made of veg- 
etable fiber, of which many sorts are utilized in India, Chi- 
na, and Japan. It is used principally for floor-cloth. In- 
dia matting, see India. Indian-matting plant, a 
species of Cypentx (Papyrus corym/KWtuO, native in India. 
It is largely employed in the manufacture of matting. 
Russia matting, a coarse woven fabric for packing, made 
in Russia from strips of the bast or inner bark of the linden. 
matting- (mat'ing), H. [Verbal u. of mat*, r.] 
1. The act or process of producing a dull or 
roughened surface on metal; specifically, the 
process of covering plates with varnish in gild- 
ing on water-size. !'.. II. Knight. 2. A dull, 
slightly roughened surface, free from polish, 
produced by the use of tin- mat. 
matting-boat (mat'iug-bot). n. Same as wnt- 
boat. 
3603 
matting-loom (mat 'ing -18m), ii. A loom in 
which sluts arc introduced into the she<l to form 
the woof. A'. //. A n iii hi. 
matting-punch (mat'ing-punch), H. In mi-tiil- 
working, a ]ninch with a roughened working 
end, used with a light hammer or mallet for 
matting the ground or the parts of the surface 
leftflal l>eti en fretwork tracery, etc. For very 
fine work In silver or gold such punches are sometimes 
made by breaking with a sharp blow a bar of highly hard- 
ened steel, and selecting pieces which have one even, 
finely and regularly granulated end, and so grinding the 
other as to remove the angles. The unground t-n-1 i- 
thc working end of the punch, and needs no further 
preparation. 
matting-tool (mat'ing-tOl), . In metal-work- 
ing, a kind of chasing-tool for producing even- 
ly roughened surfaces. A matting-tool used for 
lathe-work Is a small roughened cylinder or spheroid of 
hardened steel, jourualed in the branches of a furcated 
handle by which it is applied to the work, over the surface 
of which It rolls as the object turns In the lathe. 
mattock(mat'qk), n. [Formerly also sometimes 
mathook, simulating hook ; < Mfe. mattocke, mat- 
tok, mattoke, < AS. iitattuc, mattoe, mettoc, meot- 
toc, mettac, < W. ma tog, a mattock, hoe, = Gael. 
madaij, pickax. The resemblance of OBulg. 
motiiika = Knss. motiiika = Pol. motukii = 1 .it h. 
mattikan, a mattock, appears to be accidental.] 
An instrument for loosening the soil in digging, 
shaped like a pickax, but having its ends broad 
instead of pointed. 
Ther wepons were more stronger, I yow say, 
lyke as vutttokez Shapyn so were they. 
(Jenerudet (E. E. T. S.), 1. 2161. 
And on all hills that shall be digged with the mattock 
there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns. 
Isa. Til. 25. 
We took this mattock and this spade from him. 
Shot., R. and J., v. S. 186. 
mattress (mat'res), n. [Formerly also matresa, 
niattraxs, matteress; < ME. mattress, matrys, ma- 
tray = D. matron = Sw. madrons = Dan. madrax, 
< OF. inatera.1, F. mate/an = It. materanso, mate- 
raxsa = MHG. matra:, matera;, G. matratse, < 
ML. matratum, matara1iiim,mataritinm = (w\\\\ 
Ar. art.) Sp. almadraque = Pg. nlmatrac, a mat- 
tress,< Ar. matrah, mattress, cushion, bed, prop, 
a place where anything is thrown, then some- 
thing thrown down, hence a 'shake-down,' a 
mattress, < taraha, throw down.] 1. A bed 
consisting of a bag filled with straw, hair, moss, 
sponge, husks, excelsior, or other soft and elas- 
tic material, and usually quilted or tacked with 
transverse cords at short intervals to prevent 
the contents from slipping. 
Pom. And I have heard Apollodonis carried ... 
Kim. A certain queen to Caesar in a mattress. 
Shalt., A. and ( '., 11. 6. 71. 
2. Inliydraul. <</)'., a mat ormassof brushwood, 
willow rods, light poles, or other like material, 
roughly woven or tied together and used to 
form foundations for dikes and jetties, or as 
aprons, fencing, curtains, orsurfacing for dikes, 
dams, embankments, and similar constructions, 
either for assisting to hold together loose mate- 
rial or to prevent injury by the erosion of water. 
French mattress, a mattress made partly of wool and 
partly of hair. (Eng.l Spring-mattress, a mattress 
In which spiral springs support the stuffed part, so as to 
make an elastic bed. Wire mattress, a frame of wood 
or Iron over which Is tightly stretched a sheet of various- 
ly constructed thick wire cloth. It is used in beds as a 
substitute for springs. 
mattress-boat (mat'res-bot), u. In liydraul. 
eiigin., a flat boat or scow on which mattresses 
are constructed and transported, and from 
which they can be launched into position. 
mattulla (ma-tul'a), n. [NL., < L. matta, a mat, 
+ -ulla, dim. term., as in medidla, pith.] In 
bot., the fibrous matter covering the petioles of 
palms. Also written matulla. 
In palms also a similar substance, but of a fibrous tex- 
ture, occurs, called reticulum or matulla. 
Encyc. Brit.. IV. ID. 
matty (mat'i), n. Same as matie. 
maturable (ma-tur'a-bl), a. [< mature, r., + 
-able.'] 1. That may be matured or perfected. 
The writer gives evidence of a true poetic gift, and of 
abilities, which, if immature, are yet maturaUe. 
The. Nation, XLVIII. iv. 
2. Capable of maturation ; that may suppurate. 
Matura diamond. See diamond. 
maturant (mat'u-rant), H. [< L. matHran(t-)s, 
ppr. of maturare, ripen: see maturate.] In 
med., a medicine or an application to an in- 
flamed part to promote suppuration ; a mat u- 
rative. 
maturate (mat'u-rat), v.; pret. and pp. matu- 
rated, ]>pr. maturating. [< L. maturatiif, pp. of 
maturare, make ripe: see mature, r.] I. trims. 
1. To bring to maturity; mature. [Rare.] 
mature 
Bjr pouring every night warm water on the root thereof, 
a tree may be maturated artificially to bud out In the 
mi.l-t of winter. ///- 
2. To promote perfect suppuration in. 
II. iiitnnix. 1. To ripen; come to or toward 
maturity. [Rare.] 2. Tosuppurate perfectly, 
maturation (mat-u-ra'shon), ". [< V. matura- 
tion = Pr. maturaeio = Sp. maduracion = Pg. 
iiiiKlurayOo It. umturazionr, < L. iiiiitiinilii>(n-), 
a hastening, < maturare, ripen : see mature, r.J 
1. The process of ripening or coming to matu- 
rity; a bringing to maturity; hence, a carrying 
out; consummation. [Rare.] 
Till further obrerntlon shall discover whether these 
are diamonds not yet fully ripe, and capable of growing 
harder by further matuntinn. Boyle, Works, I. 4&S. 
At our entrance Into the world, when health and vigour 
give us fair promises of time sufficient for the regular 
maturation of our schemes. Juhnton, Rambler, No. 111. 
2. In iiii-d., a ripening or maturing, as of an 
abscess; formation of pus ; suppuration. 
As In the body, so In the soul, diseases and tumours must 
have their due 'mituratimi ere there can be a perfect cure. 
Bp. Hall, Balm of OUead. 
maturatiye (ma-tur'a-tiv), a. and . [< F. 
maturatif; as maturate + -ire."] I. n. 1. Pro- 
ducing maturity ; conducive to ripeness. 
Between the troplcks and equator their second summer 
Is hotter, and more maturatice of fruits, than the former. 
Sir T. Brmrne. 
2. Conducing to perfect suppuration, or the 
formation of pus in an abscess. 
Butter i maturatiix. and is profitably mixed with ano- 
dynes and suppuratlves. Witeman, Surgery. 
II. . In med., anything that promotes sup- 
puration; a maturant. 
The same {linseed] applyed with figs Is an excellent 
iniitiinttn-. . and ripenetn all impostbumes. 
UMand, tr. of Pliny, xx. 22. 
mature (nm-tur'), a. [< L. mutunm, ripe, ma- 
ture, of full age, fit, timely, early, speedy; 
perhaps orig. "maeturus, < \/ mag, in magnux, 
great: see //'-'.] 1. Complete in natural 
growth or development ; fully grown or ripen- 
ed; ripe: as, mature grain or fruit; a person of 
mature age; mature in judgment. 
The youngest son of Priam, a true knight, 
Not yet mature, yet matchless. 
Shot., T. and C., Iv. 5. 87. 
Two thousand summers have imparted to the monu- 
ments of Grecian literature, as to her marbles, only a 
maturer golden and autumnal tint. 
THoreau, Walden, p. 112. 
2. Completely elaborated or prepared; brought 
to maturity ; ready for use or execution ; fully 
evolved ; ample ; thorough : as, a result of ma- 
ture deliberation. 
How best the mighty work he might begin 
of Saviour to mankind, and which way first 
Publish his godlike office now mature. 
Milton, P. R.,1. 188. 
Indeed, upon mature thoughta, I should think we could 
not have done better than to have complied with the desire 
they aeemed to have of our settling here [at Mindanao]. 
Dampier, Voyages, I. S4 
Which images, here flgur'd in this wise, 
I leave unto your more mature survey. 
Daniel, Phllotaa, Ded. 
3. In med., in a state of perfect suppuration. 
4. Inro/., become payable; having reached the 
time fixed for payment; fully due Mature In- 
sect, in rntiim., an Insect which has attained the but or 
imago stage of ite development. Mature larva, a larva 
which has attained its full growth before passing into the 
pupa state. Mature pupa, a puna ready to give forth an 
imago. - Syn. 1 and 2. Mature, ftipe, digested, well-con- 
sidered. Mature and ripe both primarily denote the re- 
sult of the process of physical growth. l\ipe emphasizes 
simply the result: the fruit needs no more nourishment 
from the stock, and further change will be to over-ripe- 
ness and decay. Mature combines with the idea of the re- 
sult the further suggestion of the process by which the 
result was reached. Further, ripe always seems figurative 
when applied to anything besides fruit, especially fruit 
growing above ground : to speak of a ripe scholar, or a 
ripened judgment, is distinctly figurative. Mature, on the 
other hand, seems quite as literal now In the secondary 
as in the primary sense. The same distinction exists be- 
tween the verbs and between the nouns corresponding to 
these adjectives. 
mature (ma-tur'), r.; pret. and pp. matured. 
ppr. maturing. [< F. maturer = Sp. Pg. mn- 
tlurar = \t. maturare, < L. maturare, make ripe, 
ripen, < iatnniK, ripe: see mature, n.] I. trans. 
1. To cause to ripen ; bring to maturity: as, to 
mature ale. 
Prick it |an apple) with a pin full of holes, not deep. 
and smear it a little with lack, to see if the virtual beat 
of the wine will not mature it Bacon, Nat Hist, I SS6. 
And. like the stores autumnal suns mature. 
Through wintry rigours unimpaired endure. 
Cmrper, Conversation. L 649. 
2. To elaborate or carry to completion; make 
ripe or ready for use of action: as, to matm; 
one's plans. 
