(mat) noun
1. A flat article, woven or plaited, or made of some perforated or corrugated material, to be laid on a floor, and on which to wipe one's shoes or feet.
2. Any flat piece of lace, plaited straw, leather, etc., used as a floor covering, table protection, ornament, etc.
3. Any dense or twisted growth, as of hair or rushes.
—v. mat·ted, mat·ting v.t.
1. To cover with or as with mats.
2. To knot or entangle into a mat.
—v.i.
3. become knotted or entangled together. [OE matt(e) <LL matta]

(mat) noun
1. A lusterless, dull, or roughened surface; also, a tool for producing such a surface.
2. Printing A sheet of papier-mâché or wood fiber for recording the impression of type or cuts in stereotyping; a matrix.
3. A border of white cardboard, serving as the frame, or part of the frame, of a picture.
—v.t. mat·ted, mat·ting To produce a dull surface on, as metal or glass.
—adjective Presenting a lusterless surface. Also matte. [OF, defeated, overcome <Arabic māt]