matins

noun

mat·​ins ˈma-tᵊnz 

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

often capitalized

1

: the night office forming with lauds the first of the canonical hours

2

: morning prayer

Examples of matins in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Along with the wreath and Advent calendars packed with little chocolates, another Hungarian tradition during Advent are the matins. —Forrest Brown, CNN, 27 Nov. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Middle English matines, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin matutinae, from Latin, feminine plural of matutinus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

matins

plural noun

mat·​ins ˈmat-ᵊnz 

often capitalized

1

: special prayers said between midnight and 4 a.m.

2

: a service of morning prayer