matrass

or mat·trass

[ ma-truhs ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a rounded, long-necked glass container, formerly used for distilling and dissolving substances.

matrass

/ ˈmætrəs /

noun

1. obsolete.
   chem a long-necked glass flask, used for distilling, dissolving substances, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of matrass¹

1595–1605; < French matras, perhaps < Arabic maṭarah leather bottle < Greek metrētḗs a liquid measure

Word History and Origins

Origin of matrass¹

C17: from French, perhaps related to Latin mētiri to measure

Example Sentences

A long, straightnecked, glass vessel for chemical distillations; Ð called also a matrass or receiver.

From Project Gutenberg

Secure them properly between two Pieces of thin Linen Cloth, so as to make a very flexible Sort of small Matrass, letting it boil a few Moments in Water, then squeeze it out and apply it to the affected Part.

From Project Gutenberg

Matrass, mat′ras, n. a chemical vessel with a tapering neck, a cucurbit.

From Project Gutenberg

I fell from the Gallery into the Yard, and by good luck upon a heap of Dung, otherwise I might have been wounded, if not kill'd; so that all the harm I had was the surprize to find my self216 sinking in a Matrass as offensive as 'tis possible to conceive.

From Project Gutenberg

Now, if I steal a matrass I am a lleidyr, that is a thief of the common sort; but if I carry it to a person, and he buys it, knowing it to be stolen, I conceive he is a far worse thief than I; in fact, a carn-lleidyr.”

From Project Gutenberg