1 a a service of morning prayer in the Church of England. b the office of one of the canonical hours of prayer, properly a night office, but also recited with lauds at daybreak or on the previous evening.
2 (also matin) poet. the morning song of birds.
Etymology: ME f. OF matines f. eccl.L matutinas, accus. fem. pl. adj. f. L matutinus of the morning f. Matuta dawn-goddess
Useful english dictionary. 2012.