mattock, matt ok

[A. S. mattuc, from Wel. matog =a mattock, a hoe; Gael, madag; Ir. madóg.] An implement with an iron head, having blades at each end presented in different planes, and an eye in the middle into which the handle is inserted perpendicularly to the head. The cutting edges are presented like those of an ax and an adze respectively. It is used in forests and plantations for grubbing among stumps and trees, whose roots prevent the use of the spade. "We took this mattock and this spade from him." Shakesp.: Romeo and Juliet, v. 3. măt-tre , *mat-res, *mat ter e e, s . [O. Fr. mater as (Fr. matelas ), from Arab. matrah =a place, a foundation, a place where anything is thrown; cf. Sp. & Port. al - madraque a quilted cushion, a mattre .] A padded bed, or one stuffed and quilted or tied, so as to keep the stuffing to a general thickne . The filling is hair, mo , sponge, cotton, husk, straw, shredded wool, . The term is also applied to an elastic bed-bottom of coiled or woven wire.