A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Matrice, n. Also: mattrice, matres. [e.m.E. mat(t)rice, -tryce, ME. matris (c 1400), F. matrice: cf. Matrix n.]
1. The womb or uterus. b. fig.1581-1623 James VI Poems I. 169/523.
The suffocation of the bruddie matrice quike c1610 Melville Mem. 83.
Bot the wemen that hanted with Quen Mary allegit that hir mattrice wes consumedb. 1535 Stewart 20831.
The cheif matres of all moralitie, Historiographe of halie kirk is he [sc. St. Jerome] 1609 Acts IV. 442/2.
Sanctandrois the most ancient matrice and fountene of science and knawlege
2. A matrix for coins.1587–8 Reg. Privy C. IV. 265.
[He] sinkis and makis irnes, instrumentis and matriceis, alsweill for prenting of silver as of lattoun 1695 Cochran-Patrick Coinage II. 250.
The dy the punch and the matresses of the fourty shilling … peices
