The word "mat" has multiple meanings, including a small piece of material used to protect surfaces like tables, a small piece of carpet or thick material placed on a floor, a thick, untidy layer of something like grass or hair, and a thick pad used in sports.
[N-COUNT 可数名词](杯、盘的)垫,垫子 A mat is a small piece of something such as cloth, card, or plastic which you put on a table to protect it from plates or cups.
The food is served on polished tables with mats.
饭菜摆放在擦得铮亮、铺着衬垫的餐桌上。
2
[N-COUNT 可数名词]地毯;地垫;地席 A mat is a small piece of carpet or other thick material which is put on the floor for protection, decoration, or comfort.
There was a letter on the mat...
地毯上有一封信。
Bring a sleeping bag and foam mat.
带上睡袋和泡沫垫。
3
[N-COUNT 可数名词]一簇;一丛;一团 A mat of something such as grass or moss is a thick, untidy layer of it.
[with supp]
The houses are well spaced out, each on its own plot of ground and mat of coarse grass...
房屋稀稀疏疏地坐落着,每栋都有自己的一片地和粗草坪。
She touched the thick mat of sandy hair on his chest.
她摸着他那浓密的淡棕色胸毛。
4
See also:
matt
;
place mat
;
Oxford
mat/mæt; NAmEmæt/
noun
,
adjective
matmatsmattedmattingnoun1a small piece of thick carpet or strong material that is used to cover part of a floor 小地毯;垫子◆Wipe your feet on the mat before you come in, please.请在垫子上擦擦脚再进来。☞see also
bath mat
,
doormat
(1 ),
mouse mat
2a piece of thick material such as rubber or plastic used especially in some sports for people to lie on or fall onto (体育运动用的)厚垫子◆a judo/an exercise mat柔道垫;健身垫3a small piece of plastic, wood or cloth used on a table for decoration or to protect the surface from heat or damage (装饰或保护桌面的)衬垫,小垫◆a beer mat啤酒杯垫☞see also
table mat
4a thick mass of sth that is stuck together 团;簇;丛◆a mat of hair一团毛发☞see also
matted
IDIOMSgo to the ˈmat (with sb) (for sb/sth)( NAmE) ( informal) to support or defend sb/sth in an argument with sb (为支持或维护…)(与某人)争辩take sb/sth to the ˈmat( US) ( informal) to get involved in an argument with sb/sth 与…进行辩论adjective( US) =
matt
mat/mæt; NAmEmæt/
LDC
mat1 noun
mat2 adjective
matmat1 /mæt/ ●●○ noun [countable]
Word Origin
Examples
word sets
Collocations
1mat (1)a small piece of thick rough material which covers part of a floor: Wipe your feet on the mat.2a small flat piece of wood, cloth etc which protects a surface, especially on a table: a beer mat (=a mat for putting a glass of beer on) a mouse mat (=for a computer mouse) →
place mat
3a piece of thick soft material used in some activities for people to sit on, fall onto etc: a yoga mat a prayer mat4go to the mat (for somebody/something) informal to do everything you can to solve a difficult problem, win an argument, support someone etc: The mayor is willing to go to the mat on this issue.5a thick mass of something such as hairs or leaves → mattedmat of a floating mat of vegetation →