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Mat
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<p>A mat is a hard or soft <a href="/facts/Floor/BnhhyRJv">floor</a> covering that generally is placed on a <a href="/facts/Floor/BnhhyRJv">floor</a> or other flat surface. Mats serve a range of purposes including: </p> <ul><li>serving to clean items passed over it, such as a doormat, which removes dirt from the soles of shoes</li> <li>protecting that which is above the mat, such as a wrestling or <a href="/facts/Mat_(gymnastics)/TR8hhsAD">gymnastics mat</a>, or an anti-vibration mat</li> <li>protecting that which is beneath the mat, such as a <a href="/facts/Place_mat/u8Sb3Ycs">place mat</a> or the <a href="/facts/Mat_(picture_framing)/n3MuvWed">matting</a> used in archival framing and preservation of documents and paintings</li> <li>providing a regular or flat surface, such as a cushioned computer <a href="/facts/Mousepad/9tRlElj2">mousepad</a></li></ul>