Meaning of Matilda | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A female given name from the Germanic languages.
2. A bundle of possessions, often tied up in a sack; a swag.
   Australia
3. Either of two British infantry tanks in use during World War II, the Infantry Tank Mark I or Infantry Tank Mark II.
   UK, historical
4. A swag or bluey carried by a swagman or swagwoman.
   Australia, historical

Equivalents

Examples

“But wondrously begotten, and begonne / By false illusion of a guilefull Spright, / On a faire Ladie Nonne, that whilome hight / Matilda, daughter to Pubidius, […]”

“Countess of Laussitz - Matilda, too, by the mark⟳! A good name⟳, a marvellous good name⟳, is not, Algernon? Musical, pretty, soft, smoothing, loveable. - - - many a fair prospect is spoiled by the mistake⟳ in the name⟳. Call⟳ Matilda Joan, or Louisa Deborah, and you are ruined forever!”

“At one time Joan invented other names for her. 'Matilda' brought to mind⟳ dingy curtains, gray tent flaps, a slack-skinned old woman. How about Sharon? Lilliane? Elizabeth? Then, Joan didn't know⟳ how, the name⟳ Matilda became transformed. It started shining like⟳ silver. The "il" in it was silver. But not metallic. In Joan's mind⟳ the name⟳ gleamed now like⟳ a fold⟳ of satin.”

“Oh there once was a swagman camped in the billabong, Under the shade of a coolibah tree, And he sang as he looked at the old billy boiling, 'Who'll come⟳ a'waltzing Matilda, with me.'”

“1906, A. B. Paterson, On The Road to Gundagai, The Old Bush Songs, Gutenberg eBook #10493, In a week the spree was over and the cheque was all knocked down, / So we shouldered our “Matildas,” and we turned our backs on town, / And the girls they stood a nobbler as we sadly said “Good bye,” / And we tramped from Lazy Harry’s, not five miles from Gundagai;”

“When a hobo roams through the outback with a matilda on his back, he is said to be “waltzing matilda.””

CEFR level