matrass

English

Etymology 1

From Anglo-Norman matraz (“shaft, dart”), Middle French materas, from an unattested post-classical variant of Latin mataris, materis (“Gaulish throwing-spear”), from a Gaulish language.

Noun

matrass (plural matrasses)

1. (obsolete) A bolt for a crossbow. [15th–19th c.]

Etymology 2

From New Latin matracium and its source, Middle French matheras, matraz etc., either from Middle French materas (see Etymology 1, above), with reference to its shape, or from Arabic مطرة, مطارة (“leather bottle, vase”).

Noun

matrass (plural matrasses)

1. (now rare) A type of bolthead flask used in chemical distillation. [from 16th c.]
   • 1791, Erasmus Darwin, The Economy of Vegetation, J. Johnson, page 206:

     So the learn’d Alchemist exulting sees / Rise in his bright matrass Diana’s trees […] .

Translations

type of flask

• Italian: matraccio (it) m
• Ottoman Turkish: مطره (matara)
• Spanish: matraz m
• Turkish: matara (tr)

Anagrams

• Smartas