matin

[ mat-n ]
/ ˈmæt n /

noun

(often initial capital letter) matins. Also especially British, mattins. (usually used with a singular verb) Ecclesiastical.
  1. the first of the seven canonical hours.
  2. the service for it, properly beginning at midnight, but sometimes beginning at daybreak.
  3. Also called Morning Prayer. the service of public prayer, said in the morning, in the Anglican Church.
Archaic. aubade.

adjective

Also mat·in·al. pertaining to the morning or to matins.

Origin of matin

1200–50; Middle English matyn (plural matines) < Old French matin < Latin mātūtīnus matutinal

Example sentences from the Web for matins

British Dictionary definitions for matins (1 of 2)

matins

mattins

/ (ˈmætɪnz) /

noun (functioning as singular or plural)

  1. mainly RC Church the first of the seven canonical hours of prayer, originally observed at night but now often recited with lauds at daybreak
  2. the service of morning prayer in the Church of England
literary a morning song, esp of birds

Word Origin for matins

C13: from Old French, ultimately from Latin mātūtīnus of the morning, from Mātūta goddess of dawn

British Dictionary definitions for matins (2 of 2)

matin

mattin matinal

/ (ˈmætɪn) /

adjective

of or relating to matins

Word Origin for matin

C14: see matins