Mat″in (?), n. [F. fr. L. matutinum the morning, matutinus of the morning, Matuta the goddess of the morning. See Matutinal.] 1. Morning. Shak.
2. pl. [F. matines. See Etymol. above.] Morning worship or service; morning prayers or songs.
The winged choristers began
To chirp their matins. Cleveland.
3. Time of morning service; the first canonical hour in the Roman Catholic Church.