mat ²

n. an estimate; the truer form is mát (like dráp, nám, gát, át, from drepa …); the word was originally a Norse law term, and is not found in the Grág., but was, at the union with Norway, adopted in Icel., where it soon lost its long vowel; it is actually spelt maat (i. e. mát) in D. N. ii. 225 (maats menn = taxation); eptir sex manna máti, Jb.; eptir góðra manni máti, Vm.; eptir máti, id. (Mr. Jón Thorkelsson).