match (1), macche (1), mache (1)

[O. Fr. mesche, meiche =a wick of a candle, a match, from Low Lat. * mуха, myxus =a wick of a candle, from Gr. myxa =the nozzle of a lamp; Fr. mèche; Sp. & Port, mecha; Ital. miccia.] 1. Ord. Lang.: Anything which readily catches fire, either from a spark or by friction, and is used for conveying, communicating, or retaining fire; pausually wood, one end of which is dipped in a specifically, a splint or strip of combustible mate composition that ignites by friction. There are numerous varieties of matches, adapted for different uses, as fusees, vestas, vesuvians, . 2. Ordn. & Mining : A slow-match consists of loosely-twisted hempen cord dipped in a solution of saltpeter and lime-water. It burns at the rate of one yard in three hours. A quick-match is cotton coated with a composition of mealed-powder, gum, and water. When not confined it burns at the rate of one yard in thirteen seconds. Another quick match is made of cotton-wick boiled in saltpeter and water. Alcohol and mealed powder are added to the warm solution, and the wick left to steep for twenty-four hours. The match is then dried. "We took a piece of match , such as soldiers use, of the thickne of a man's little finger, or somewhat thicker." -Boyle: Works , i. 29. To prime a match . To prepare the match so as to be easily ignitible by putting on the end of it some wet bruised powder, made into a sort of paste, match-box, s. A box for holding matches. match-cloth, s. A kind of coarse, woolen cloth. match-coat, s . A large, loose coat made of match cloth. marine; gō, pot, IMG:content-0989.png:[blocks in formation] *match-tub, s . Old Ord.: A tub with a cover perforated with holes, in which lighted slow-matches were hung, fire downward, and in which there was water to extinguish any sparks that might fall from the matches. mătch (2), *macche (2), mache (2), s . [A. S. тӕсса, де-тæcca=a comrade, a companion, a spouse; Icel. maki ; Sw. make ; Dan. mage; M. H. Ger. mach, gemach: Dut. makker .] [MATE (1), 8.) *1. One equal, like, or similar to another; an equal, a companion, an a ociate, a mate. 2. One able or equal to contend or cope with another. "To force our fleet, or e'en a ship to gain, Asks toil, and sweat, and blood: their utmost might Shall find its match."-Pope: Homer's Iliad, xv. 563. 3. The bringing together of two parties fitted or suited for each other; as (1) A competition or contest for victory in strength, skill, or science. "Well known in many a warlike match before." Drayton: Barons' Wars, ii. (2) Union by marriage. "If John marries Mary, and Mary alone, 'Tis a very good match between Mary and John." 2647 7. To marry; to give in marriage. "To match my friend Sir Thurio to my daughter." Shakesp.: Two Gentlemen of Verona, iii. 1. 8. To join in any way; to combine, to unite, to couple. "A sharp wit matched with too blunt a will.' Shakesp.: Love's Labor's Lost, ii. B. Intransitive: *1. To be united in marriage; to marry. "Matching more for wanton lust than honor." Shakesp.: Henry VI., Pt . 111. , iii. 3. 2. To be of equal or like size, figure, quality, .; to agree, to tally, to correspond; as, These colors match. IMG:content-0990.png:[blocks in formation] II. Nautical : materia medic a 1. An officer in a merchant ve el, whose duty is to a ist the captain. In large ships there are three mates, called respectively, first, second, and third mates or officers. 2. Generally, a subordinate officer; an a istant; as, a surgeon's mate . māte (2), s. [MATE (2), v.] Che : The state of the king when he is in check, and cannot get out of it by moving himself, or by interposing a piece between himself and the checking piece, or by taking it. The player whose king is in such a position loses the game. [CHECKMATE (1), 8.; STALEMATE.]