matey /me I ti/
1 ADJ If someone is matey , they behave in a very friendly way, usually without sincerity. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ …her irritatingly matey tone.
2 N‑COUNT You can address someone as matey when you are being friendly towards them. People sometimes also use matey when they are annoyed with someone. [BRIT , INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ No problem, matey.
math /mæ θ/ N‑UNCOUNT Math is the same as mathematics . [AM ] □ He studied math in college. in BRIT, use maths
math|emati|cal /mæ θəmæ t I k ə l/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Something that is mathematical involves numbers and calculations. □ …mathematical calculations. ● math|emati|cal|ly /mæ θəmæ t I kli/ ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ …a mathematically complicated formula. □ Mathematically, it made sense.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you have mathematical abilities or a mathematical mind, you are clever at doing calculations or understanding problems that involve numbers. □ …a mathematical genius. ● math|emati|cal|ly ADV [ADV -ed/adj] □ Anyone can be an astrologer as long as they are mathematically minded.
math|ema|ti|cian /mæ θəmət I ʃ ə n/ (mathematicians )
1 N‑COUNT A mathematician is a person who is trained in the study of numbers and calculations. □ The risks can be so complex that banks hire mathematicians to puzzle them out.
2 N‑COUNT A mathematician is a person who is good at doing calculations and using numbers. □ I'm not a very good mathematician.
math|emat|ics /mæ θəmæ t I ks/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Mathematics is the study of numbers, quantities, or shapes. □ …a professor of mathematics at Boston College.
2 N‑UNCOUNT The mathematics of a problem is the calculations that are involved in it. □ [+ of ] Once you understand the mathematics of debt you can work your way out of it.
maths /mæ θs/ N‑UNCOUNT Maths is the same as mathematics . [BRIT ] □ He taught science and maths. in AM, use math
mati|nee /mæ t I ne I , [AM ] -ne I / (matinees ) N‑COUNT A matinee is a performance of a play or a showing of a film which takes place in the afternoon.
ma|tri|arch /me I triɑː r k/ (matriarchs )
1 N‑COUNT A matriarch is a woman who rules in a society in which power passes from mother to daughter.
2 N‑COUNT A matriarch is an old and powerful female member of a family, for example a grandmother.
ma|tri|ar|chal /me I triɑː r k ə l/
1 ADJ A matriarchal society, family, or system is one in which the rulers are female and power or property is passed from mother to daughter. □ …the 3,000 years of the matriarchal Sumerian society.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a woman as matriarchal , you mean that she has authority and power within her family or group. □ …the matriarchal figure of his grandmother.
ma|tri|ar|chy /me I triɑː r ki/ (matriarchies ) N‑VAR A matriarchy is a system in which power or property is passed from mother to daughter.
ma|tri|ces /me I tr I siːz/ Matrices is the plural of matrix .
ma|tricu|late /mətr I kjʊle I t/ (matriculates , matriculating , matriculated ) VERB In some countries, if you matriculate , you register formally as a student at a university, or you satisfy the academic requirements necessary for registration for a course. □ [V ] I had to matriculate if I wanted to do a degree. ● ma|tricu|la|tion /mətri kjʊle I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ The head decided I should have another go at matriculation.
mat|ri|mo|nial /mæ tr I moʊ niəl/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Matrimonial means concerning marriage or married people. [FORMAL ] □ …the matrimonial home.
mat|ri|mo|ny /mæ tr I məni, [AM ] -moʊni/ N‑UNCOUNT Matrimony is marriage. [FORMAL ] □ …the bonds of matrimony.
ma|trix /me I tr I ks/ (matrices )
1 N‑COUNT A matrix is the environment or context in which something such as a society develops and grows. [FORMAL ] □ …the matrix of their culture.
2 N‑COUNT In mathematics, a matrix is an arrangement of numbers, symbols, or letters in rows and columns which is used in solving mathematical problems.
ma|tron /me I trən/ (matrons ) N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE The matron in a nursing home is the woman who is in charge of all the nurses. In the past, the woman in charge of the nurses in a hospital was also called a matron . [BRIT ] □ The Matron at the nursing home expressed a wish to attend.
ma|tron|ly /me I trənli/ ADJ You can use matronly to describe a woman who is fairly fat and looks middle-aged, especially if you think the clothes she is wearing are not fashionable or attractive. □ …a matronly woman with an air of authority.
matt /mæ t/ The spellings matte in British English, and matte or mat in American English are also used. ADJ A matt colour, paint, or surface is dull rather than shiny. □ …a creamy white matt emulsion. □ …matt black.
mat|ted /mæ t I d/ ADJ If you describe someone's hair as matted , you mean that it has become a thick untidy mass, often because it is wet or dirty. □ She had matted hair and torn dusty clothes.
mat|ter ◆◆◆ /mæ tə r / (matters , mattering , mattered )
1 N‑COUNT A matter is a task, situation, or event which you have to deal with or think about, especially one that involves problems. □ It was clear that she wanted to discuss some private matter. □ Until the matter is resolved, the athletes will be ineligible to compete. □ [+ for ] Don't you think this is now a matter for the police? □ Business matters drew him to Paris.