MATCH

Match

A match is a tool for starting a fire. Typically, modern matches are made of small wooden sticks or stiff paper. One end is coated with a material that can be ignited by frictional heat generated by striking the match against a suitable surface. Wooden matches are packaged in matchboxes, and paper matches are partially cut into rows and stapled into matchbooks. The coated end of a match, known as the match "head," contains either phosphorus or phosphorus sesquisulfide as the active ingredient and gelatin as a binder. There are two main types of matches: safety matches, which can be struck only against a specially prepared surface, and ...

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match

Noun

  1. A competitive sporting event such as a boxing meet, a baseball game, or a cricket match.
    My local team are playing in a match against their arch-rivals today.
  2. Any contest or trial of strength or skill, or to determine superiority.
  3. Someone with a measure of an attribute equaling or exceeding the object of comparison.
    He knew he had met his match.
  4. A marriage.
  5. A candidate for matrimony; one to be gained in marriage.
  6. Suitability.
  7. Equivalence; a state of correspondence.
  8. Equality of conditions in contest or competition.
  9. A pair of items or entities with mutually suitable characteristics.
    The carpet and curtains are a match.
  10. An agreement or compact.
  11. A perforated board, block of plaster, hardened sand, etc., in which a pattern is partly embedded when a mould is made, for giving shape to the surfaces of separation between the parts of the mould.

Noun (etymology 2)

  1. Device made of wood or paper, at the tip coated with chemicals that ignite with the friction of being dragged (struck) against a rough dry surface.
    He struck a match and lit his cigarette.

Verb

  1. To agree, to be equal, to correspond to.
  2. To make a successful match or pairing.
  3. To equal or exceed in achievement.
  4. To unite in marriage, to mate.
  5. To fit together, or make suitable for fitting together; specifically, to furnish with a tongue and groove at the edges.
    to match boards


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: match
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

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