\Mat\, n. [Cf. {Matte}.]
A name given by coppersmiths to an alloy of copper, tin,
iron, etc., usually called white metal. [Written also
{matt}.]

\Mat\, a. [OF. See 4th {Mate}.]
Cast down; dejected; overthrown; slain. [Obs.]
      When he saw them so piteous and so maat. --Chaucer.

\Mat\, n. [AS. matt, meatt, fr. L. matta a mat made of
rushes.]
1. A fabric of sedge, rushes, flags, husks, straw, hemp, or
   similar material, used for wiping and cleaning shoes at
   the door, for covering the floor of a hall or room, and
   for other purposes.
2. Any similar fabric for various uses, as for covering plant
   houses, putting beneath dishes or lamps on a table,
   securing rigging from friction, and the like.
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.
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.
{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.

\Mat\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Matted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Matting}.]
1. To cover or lay with mats. --Evelyn.
2. To twist, twine, or felt together; to interweave into, or
   like, a mat; to entangle.
         And o'er his eyebrows hung his matted hair.
                                               --Dryden.

\Mat\, v. i.
To grow thick together; to become interwoven or felted
together like a mat.