27 mind over matter → see mind ➊ USAGE matter
You can say What’s the matter
? to ask about a problem or difficulty. Don’t use ‘the matter’ with this meaning in other types of sentence. Don’t say, for example, ‘
ma tter-of-fa ct ADJ If you describe a person as matter-of-fact , you mean that they show no emotions such as enthusiasm, anger, or surprise, especially in a situation where you would expect them to be emotional. □ John was doing his best to give Francis the news in a matter-of-fact way. ● matter-of-factly ADV [ADV after v] □ 'She thinks you're a spy,' Scott said matter-of-factly.
mat|ting /mæ t I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Matting is strong thick material, usually made from a material like rope, straw, or rushes, which is used as a floor covering.
mat|tress /mæ trəs/ (mattresses ) N‑COUNT A mattress is the large, flat object which is put on a bed to make it comfortable to sleep on.
matu|ra|tion /mæ tjʊre I ʃən/
1 N‑UNCOUNT The maturation of something such as wine or cheese is the process of leaving it for a time to become mature. [FORMAL ] □ The period of maturation is determined by the cellar master.
2 N‑UNCOUNT The maturation of a young person's body is the process of it becoming like an adult's. [FORMAL ]
ma|ture /mətjʊə r / (matures , maturing , matured , maturer , maturest )
1 VERB When a child or young animal matures , it becomes an adult. □ [V ] You will learn what to expect as your child matures physically.
2 VERB When something matures , it reaches a state of complete development. □ [V ] When the trees matured they were cut in certain areas.
3 VERB If someone matures , they become more fully developed in their personality and emotional behaviour. □ [V ] Hopefully after three years at university I will have matured.
4 ADJ If you describe someone as mature , you think that they are fully developed and balanced in their personality and emotional behaviour. [APPROVAL ] □ They are emotionally mature and should behave responsibly.
5 VERB If something such as wine or cheese matures or is matured , it is left for a time to allow its full flavour or strength to develop. □ [V ] Unlike wine, brandy matures only in wood, not glass. □ [be V -ed] …the cellars where the cheeses are matured.
6 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Mature cheese or wine has been left for a time to allow its full flavour or strength to develop. □ Grate some mature cheddar cheese.
7 VERB When an investment such as a savings policy or pension plan matures , it reaches the stage when you stop paying money and the company pays you back the money you have saved, and the interest your money has earned. [BUSINESS ] □ [V ] These bonuses will be paid when your savings plan matures in ten years' time.
8 ADJ If you say that someone is mature or of mature years, you are saying politely that they are middle-aged or old. [POLITENESS ] □ …a man of mature years.
ma|tu re stu |dent (mature students ) N‑COUNT A mature student is a person who begins their studies at university or college a number of years after leaving school, so that they are older than most of the people they are studying with. [BRIT ] in AM, use adult student
ma|tur|ity /mətjʊə r I ti/ (maturities )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Maturity is the state of being fully developed or adult. □ Humans experience a delayed maturity; we arrive at all stages of life later than other mammals.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Someone's maturity is their quality of being fully developed in their personality and emotional behaviour. □ Her speech showed great maturity and humanity.
3 N‑VAR When an investment such as a savings policy or pension plan reaches maturity , it reaches the stage when you stop paying money and the company pays you back the money you have saved, and the interest your money has earned. [BUSINESS ] □ Customers are told what their policies will be worth on maturity.
maud|lin /mɔː dl I n/
1 ADJ If you describe someone as maudlin , you mean that they are being sad and sentimental in a foolish way, perhaps because of drinking alcohol. □ Jimmy turned maudlin after three drinks. □ …maudlin self-pity.
2 ADJ If you describe a song, book, or film as maudlin , you are criticizing it for being very sentimental. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …the most maudlin song of all time. □ …a hugely entertaining (if over-long and maudlin) movie.
maul /mɔː l/ (mauls , mauling , mauled ) VERB If you are mauled by an animal, you are violently attacked by it and badly injured. □ [be V -ed + by ] He had been mauled by a bear. □ [V n] The dog went berserk and mauled one of the girls.
Maun|dy Thurs|day /mɔː ndi θɜː r zde I / N‑UNCOUNT Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter Sunday.
Mau|ri|tian /mər I ʃ ə n, [AM ] mɔːr-/ (Mauritians )
1 ADJ Mauritian means belonging or relating to Mauritius, or to its people or culture.
2 N‑COUNT A Mauritian is a Mauritian citizen, or a person of Mauritian origin.
mau|so|leum /mɔː zəliː əm/ (mausoleums ) N‑COUNT A mausoleum is a building which contains the grave of a famous person or the graves of a rich family.
mauve /moʊ v/ (mauves ) COLOUR Something that is mauve is of a pale purple colour. □ It bears clusters of mauve flowers in early summer.
mav|er|ick /mæ vər I k/ (mavericks ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a maverick , you mean that they are unconventional and independent, and do not think or behave in the same way as other people. □ He was too much of a maverick ever to hold high office. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Maverick is also an adjective. □ …a maverick group of scientists, who oppose the prevailing medical opinion on the disease.