MATTRESS Mat"tress, n. Etym: [OF. materas, F. matelas, LL. matratium; cf. Sp. & Pg. almadraque, Pr. almatrac; all from Ar. matsrah a place where anything is thrown, what is thrown under something, fr. tsaraha to throw.]
1. A quilted bed; a bed stuffed with hair, moss, or other suitable material, and quilted or otherwise fastened. [Written also matress.]
2. (Hydraulic Engin.)
Defn: A mass of interwoven brush, poles, etc., to protect a bank from being worn away by currents or waves.
MATURANT
Mat"u*rant, n. Etym: [L. maturans, p. pr. See Maturate.] (Med.)
Defn: A medicine, or application, which promotes suppuration.
MATURATE
Mat"u*rate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Maturated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Maturating.] Etym: [L. maturatus, p. p. of maturare to make ripe, fr.
maturus ripe, mature. See Mature, v. & a.]
1. To bring to ripeness or maturity; to ripen. A tree may be maturated artificially. Fuller.
2. To promote the perfect suppuration of (an abscess).
MATURATE
Mat"u*rate, v. i.