match

Match is defined as a small thin piece of wood or cardboard tipped with flammable chemicals that catch fire with friction.

(noun)

An example of match is what someone would use to light a candle.

The definition of a match is a person or thing that is similar, equal to or suitable for another or a game or contest.

(noun)

  1. An example of match is a shirt and jeans that are the same color of black.
  2. An example of match is two people with a similar sense of humor.
  3. An example of match is two people playing cribbage.

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See match in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. Obsolete a wick or cord prepared to burn at a uniform rate, used for firing guns or explosives
  2. 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

Origin: 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

noun

  1. any person or thing equal or similar to another in some way; specif.,
    1. a person, group, or thing able to cope with or oppose another as an equal in power, size, etc.; peer
    2. a counterpart or facsimile
    3. either of two corresponding things or persons; one of a pair
  2. 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
  3. a contest or game involving two or more contestants, specif., a series of usually three sets in tennis
    1. an agreement to marry or mate
    2. a marriage or mating: to make a good match
  4. a person regarded as a suitable or possible mate

Origin: ME macche < OE (ge)mæcca, one suited to another, mate < base of macian, to make

transitive verb

  1. to join in marriage; get a (suitable) match for; mate
    1. Now Rare to meet as an antagonist
    2. to compete with successfully
  2. to put in opposition (with); pit (against)
  3. to be equal, similar, suitable, or corresponding to in some way: his looks match his character
  4. to make, show, produce, or get a competitor, counterpart, or equivalent to: to match a piece of cloth
  5. to suit or fit (one thing) to another
  6. to fit (things) together; make similar or corresponding
  7. to compare
    1. 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
    2. to match coins with (another person), usually betting that the same faces will be exposed

intransitive verb

  1. to be equal, similar, suitable, or corresponding in some way
  2. Obsolete to mate

Related Forms:

See match in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. a. One that is exactly like another; a counterpart.
    b. One that is like another in one or more specified qualities: He is John's match for bravery.
  2. One that is able to compete equally with another: The boxer had met his match.
  3. a. One that closely resembles or harmonizes with another: The napkins were a nice match for the tablecloth.
    b. A pair, each one of which resembles or harmonizes with the other: The colors were a close match.
  4. Sports
    a. A game or contest in which two or more persons, animals, or teams oppose and compete with each other: a soccer match.
    b. A tennis contest won by the player or side that wins a specified number of sets, usually two out of three or three out of five.
  5. A marriage or an arrangement of marriage: a royal match.
  6. A person viewed as a prospective marriage partner.
verb matched, match·ing, match·es
verb, transitive
  1. a. To be exactly like; correspond exactly.
    b. To be like with respect to specified qualities.
  2. To resemble or harmonize with: The coat matches the dress.
  3. To adapt or suit so that a balanced or harmonious result is achieved; cause to correspond: You should match your deeds to your beliefs.
  4. To find or produce a counterpart to: It's difficult to match the color of old paint.
  5. To fit together or cause to fit together.
  6. To join or give in marriage.
  7. To place in opposition or competition; pit: She matched her skill against all comers.
  8. To provide with an adversary or competitor.
  9. To do as well as or better than in competition; equal.
  10. To set in comparison; compare: beauty that could never be matched.
  11. To provide funds so as to equal or complement: The government will match all private donations to the museum.
  12. To flip or toss (coins) and compare the sides that land face up.
  13. To couple (electric circuits) by means of a transformer.
verb, intransitive
To be a close counterpart; correspond.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English macche

Origin: , from Old English gemǽcca, companion, mate; see mag- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • matchˈer noun

noun
  1. A narrow piece, usually of wood or cardboard, coated on one end with a compound that ignites when scratched against a rough or chemically treated surface.
  2. An easily ignited cord or wick, formerly used to detonate powder charges or to fire cannons and muzzle-loading firearms.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English matche, lamp wick

Origin: , from Old French mesche

Origin: , from Vulgar Latin *micca

Origin: , from Latin myxa, a lamp's nozzle

Origin: , from Greek muxa, mucus, lamp wick

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