The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Mat \Mat\, n. [AS. matt, meatt, fr. L. matta a mat made of
rushes.]
1. A thick flat fabric of sedge, rushes, flags, husks, straw,
hemp, or similar material, placed on the floor and used
for wiping and cleaning shoes at the door, for covering
the floor of a hall or room to protect its surface, and
for other purposes.
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2. Any similar flat object made of fabric or other material,
such as rubber or plastic, placed flat on a surface for
various uses, as for covering plant houses, putting
beneath dishes or lamps on a table, securing rigging from
friction, and the like.
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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.
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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.
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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.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Nard \Nard\ (n[aum]rd), n. [AS., fr. L. nardus, Gr. na`rdos; cf.
Heb. n[^e]rd, Per. nard, Scr. nalada.]
1. (Bot.) An East Indian plant (Nardostachys Jatamansi) of
the Valerian family, used from remote ages in Oriental
perfumery.
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2. An ointment prepared partly from this plant. See
Spikenard.
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3. (Bot.) A kind of grass (Nardus stricta) of little value,
found in Europe and Asia.
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