Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - match

 I. noun  Etymology: Middle English macche, from Old English gem?cca mate, equal; akin to Old English macian to make — more at make  Date: before 12th century  1.  a. a person or thing equal or similar to another  b. one able to cope with another  c. an exact counterpart  2. a pair suitably associated carpet and curtains are a ~  3.  a. a contest between two or more parties a golf ~ a soccer ~ a shouting ~  b. a contest (as in tennis or volleyball) completed when one player or side wins a specified number of sets or games  4.  a. a marriage union  b. a prospective partner in marriage  II. verb  Date: 14th century  transitive verb  1.  a. to encounter successfully as an antagonist  b.  (1) to set in competition or opposition  (2) to provide with a worthy competitor  c. to set in comparison  2. to join or give in marriage  3.  a.  (1) to put in a set possessing equal or harmonizing attributes  (2) to cause to correspond ; suit ~ed programs to local needs  b.  (1) to be the counterpart of; also to compare favorably with  (2) to harmonize with the jacket ~ed the pants  c. to provide with a counterpart  d. to provide funds complementary to employers may ~ the employee contribution — D. J. Miller  4. to fit together or make suitable for fitting together  5.  a. to flip or toss (coins) and compare exposed faces  b. to toss coins with  intransitive verb to be a counterpart  • ~able adjective  • ~er noun  III. noun  Etymology: Middle English macche, mecche candlewick, from Anglo-French meche  Date: 1549  1. a chemically prepared wick or cord formerly used in firing firearms or powder  2. a short slender piece of flammable material (as wood) tipped with a combustible mixture that bursts into flame when slightly heated through friction (as by being scratched against a rough surface)