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MATRASS (mod. Lat. matracium)
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MATRASS (mod. Lat. matracium), a glass vessel with a round or oval body and a long narrow neck, used in chemistry, &c., as a digester or distiller. The Florence flask of commerce is frequently used for this purpose. The word is possibly identical with an old name " matrass " (Fr. materas, matelas) for the bolt or quarrel of a cross-bow. If so, some identity of shape is the reason for the application of the word; " bolt-head " is also used as a name for the vessel. Another connexion is suggested with the Arabic matra, a leather bottle.