match

I. noun Etymology: Middle English macche, from Old English gemæcca mate, equal; akin to Old English macian to make — more at make Date: before 12th century 1. a. a person or thing equal or similar to another b. one able to cope with another c. an exact counterpart 2. a pair suitably associated <

carpet and curtains are a match

> 3. a. a contest between two or more parties <

a golf match

> <

a soccer match

> <

a shouting match

> b. a contest (as in tennis or volleyball) completed when one player or side wins a specified number of sets or games 4. a. a marriage union b. a prospective partner in marriage II. verb Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. a. to encounter successfully as an antagonist b. (1) to set in competition or opposition (2) to provide with a worthy competitor c. to set in comparison 2. to join or give in marriage 3. a. (1) to put in a set possessing equal or harmonizing attributes (2) to cause to correspond ; suit <

matched programs to local needs

> b. (1) to be the counterpart of; also to compare favorably with (2) to harmonize with <

the jacket matched the pants

> c. to provide with a counterpart d. to provide funds complementary to <

employers may match the employee contribution — D. J. Miller

> 4. to fit together or make suitable for fitting together 5. a. to flip or toss (coins) and compare exposed faces b. to toss coins with intransitive verb to be a counterpart • matchable adjective • matcher noun III. noun Etymology: Middle English macche, mecche candlewick, from Anglo-French meche Date: 1549 1. a chemically prepared wick or cord formerly used in firing firearms or powder 2. a short slender piece of flammable material (as wood) tipped with a combustible mixture that bursts into flame when slightly heated through friction (as by being scratched against a rough surface)