Mătĭus, a,
I the name of a Roman gens. So, Cn. Matius, a poet and translator of the Iliad , Gell. 6, 6, 5; 9, 14, 14; Varr. L. L. 7, 5, § 96 Müll.; perh. the same with C. Matius, a friend of Caesar and Cicero , Cic. Fam. 6, 12, 2; 7, 15; 11, 28; Plin. 12, 2, 6, § 13; Col. 12, 4, 2 al.—Hence,
II Mătĭā-nus , a, um, adj., of or belonging to a Matius, Matian : mala, a kind of apple , Col. 5, 10, 19; 12, 47, 5; Suet. Dom. 21: poma, Front. de Fer. Als. 3; Minutal, Apic. 4, 3.