mat
n.
1
loosely joined natural materials used as bedding, etc., Old English matte, from Late Latin matta "mat made of rushes" (4c.), probably from Punic or Phoenician matta (compare Hebrew mittah "bed, couch"). Meaning "tangled mass" is from 1835. That of "piece of padded flooring used in gymnastics or wrestling" is attested from 1892; hence figurative phrase go to the mat "do battle" (1910). The Latin word also is the source of German Matte, matze; Dutch mat, Italian matta. French natte "mat, matting" is from Late Latin secondary form natta (compare napkin).
2
"sheet of backing material," 1845, from French mat "dull surface or finish" (15c.), noun use of Old French mat (adj.); see mat, adj..
adj.
1640s, "lusterless, dull" (of a color or surface), from French mat "dull, dead surface," from Old French mat "beaten down, withered, afflicted, dejected; dull," which is perhaps from Latin mattus "maudlin with drink," from madere "to be wet or sodden, be drunk," from PIE root *mad- "to be wet, drip" (see mast, n.2). Or the French word might represent a transferred use from chess of mater "to checkmate, defeat," from Arabic (see mate, v.2).
v.
early 15c., "to make mats," from mat, n.1. From 1540s as "to provide with mats, to cover with mats;" meaning "to become tangled" is from 1570s. Related: Matted; matting.
词根：mat = ripe
来自拉丁语的mat 意为ripe。
同源词：
1. premature（在成熟之前的pre(=before) + mat(=ripe)）
adj.（做法等）不成熟的；太早的，不到期的；早产的
It would be premature to fire her;she's still learning her job.解雇她时机尚早，她还在熟悉工作。
2. immature
adj.未成熟的，发育未全的 *im<in(=not)
immaturity n.未成熟（状态）；未成年
immature girl尚年幼的少女
immature minds of young children 儿童未成熟的心智
3. mature
adj.成熟的；酿熟的；慎重的；周到的：（票据）到支付日期的 v.使成熟；使长成；（票据）到期；酿成
mature woman 成熟的女人
mature plans 慎重的计划
This wine has not matured properly.葡萄酒还没有酿好。
4. maturity
n.成熟；（票据的）到期
come to /reach maturity 成熟
5. maturate
v.成熟；化脓
maturation n.成熟；化脓