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material
material definition
ma·teri·al (mə tir′ē əl)
adjective
- of matter; of substance; relating to or consisting of what occupies space; physical a material object, material forces
- of the body or bodily needs, satisfactions, etc.; corporeal, sensual, or sensuous material pleasures
- of or fond of comfort, pleasure, wealth, etc. rather than spiritual or intellectual values; worldly material success
- important, essential, or pertinent (to the matter under discussion)
- Law important enough to affect the outcome of a case, the validity of a legal instrument, etc. a material witness
- Philos. of the content or substance of reasoning, as distinguished from the formal element
Etymology: LL materialis < L materia, matter
noun
- what a thing is, or may be, made of; constituent substance; elements, parts, or constituents raw material
- ideas, notes, sketches, etc., that may be worked up or elaborated; data
- cloth or other fabric
- implements, articles, etc. needed to make or do something writing materials
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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