match
match (mac̸h)
noun
- Obsolete a wick or cord prepared to burn at a uniform rate, used for firing guns or explosives
- a slender piece of wood, cardboard, waxed cord, etc. tipped with a composition that catches fire by friction, sometimes only when rubbed on a specially prepared surface
Etymology: ME macche < OFr mesche, wick of a candle, match < VL *micca, prob. altered (by assoc. with muccare, to snuff a candle, orig., to blow one's nose < L mucus, mucus) < L myxa < Gr, lamp wick, lit., nasal discharge, akin to L mucus
match (mac̸h)
noun
- any person or thing equal or similar to another in some way; specif.,
- a person, group, or thing able to cope with or oppose another as an equal in power, size, etc.; peer
- a counterpart or facsimile
- either of two corresponding things or persons; one of a pair
- two or more persons or things that go together in appearance, size, or other quality; pair a purse and shoes that are a good match
- a contest or game involving two or more contestants, specif., a series of usually three sets in tennis
- an agreement to marry or mate
- a marriage or mating to make a good match
- a person regarded as a suitable or possible mate
Etymology: ME macche < OE (ge)mæcca, one suited to another, mate < base of macian, to make
transitive verb
- to join in marriage; get a (suitable) match for; mate
- Now Rare to meet as an antagonist
- to compete with successfully
- to put in opposition (with); pit (against)
- to be equal, similar, suitable, or corresponding to in some way his looks match his character
- to make, show, produce, or get a competitor, counterpart, or equivalent to to match a piece of cloth
- to suit or fit (one thing) to another
- to fit (things) together; make similar or corresponding
- to compare
- ☆
- to flip or reveal (coins) as a form of gambling or to decide something contested, the winner being determined by the combination of faces thus exposed
- to match coins with (another person), usually betting that the same faces will be exposed
intransitive verb
- to be equal, similar, suitable, or corresponding in some way
- Obsolete to mate
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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