Materialist - Matter

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Materialist (mȧtērĭ�lĭst), n. [Cf. F. matérialiste.] 1. One who denies the existence of spiritual substances or agents, and maintains that spiritual phenomena, so called, are the result of some peculiar organization of matter. A believer in philosophical materialism.
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2. One who holds to the existence of matter, as distinguished from the idealist, who denies it. Berkeley.
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{ Materialistic (?), Materialistical (?), } a. Of or pertaining to materialism or materialists; of the nature of materialism.
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But to me his very spiritualism seemed more materialistic than his physics. C. Kingsley.
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2. Primarily concerned with material objects and worldly activities, as contrasted with spiritual, moral or philosophical concerns; especially, concerned primarily with gaining money and the things that money can buy.
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Materiality (?), n. [Cf. F. matérialité.]
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1. The quality or state of being material; material existence; corporeity.
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2. Importance; as, the materiality of facts.
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Materialization (?), n. The act of materializing, or the state of being materialized.
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Materialize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Materialized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Materializing (?).] [Cf. F. matérialiser.] 1. To invest with material characteristics; to make perceptible to the senses; hence, to present to the mind through the medium of material objects.
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Having with wonderful art and beauty materialized, if I may so call it, a scheme of abstracted notions, and clothed the most nice, refined conceptions of philosophy in sensible images. Tatler.
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2. To regard as matter; to consider or explain by the laws or principles which are appropriate to matter.
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3. To cause to assume a character appropriate to material things; to occupy with material interests; as, to materialize thought.
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4. (Spiritualism) To make visable in, or as in, a material form; -- said of spirits.
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A female spirit form temporarily materialized, and not distinguishable from a human being. Epes Sargent.
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Materialize, v. i. 1. To appear as a material form; to take substantial shape. [Colloq.]
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2. To come into existence; as, the promised donations never materialized.
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Materially, adv. 1. In the state of matter.
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I do not mean that anything is separable from a body by fire that was not materially preëxistent in it. Boyle.
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2. In its essence; substantially.
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An ill intention is certainly sufficient to spoil . . . an act in itself materially good. South.
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3. In an important manner or degree; essentially; as, it materially concerns us to know the real motives of our actions.
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Materialness, n. The state of being material.
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Materia medica (?). [L. See , and .] 1. Material or substance used in the composition of remedies; -- a general term for all substances used as curative agents in medicine.
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2. That branch of medical science which treats of the sources, nature and properties of all the substances that are employed for the cure of diseases, primarily with natural preparations, rather than pure or synthetic medicines; pharmacognosy.
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Materiarian (?), n. [L. materiarius.] See . [Obs.]
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{ Materiate (?), Materiated (?), } a. [L. materiatus, p. p. of materiare to build of wood.] Consisting of matter. [Obs.] Bacon.
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Materiation (?), n. [L. materiatio woodwork.] Act of forming matter. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
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Matériel (?), n. [F. See .] That in a complex system which constitutes the materials, or instruments employed, in distinction from the personnel, or men; as, the baggage, munitions, provisions, etc., of an army; or the buildings, libraries, and apparatus of a college, in distinction from its officers.
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Materious (?), a. See . [Obs.]
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Maternal (?), a. [F. maternel, L. maternus, fr. mater mother. See .] Of or pertaining to a mother; becoming to a mother; motherly; as, maternal love; maternal tenderness.
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Syn. -- See .
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maternalistic adj. showing maternal instincts; behaving as a mother should; motherly.
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Maternally, adv. In a motherly manner.
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Maternity (?), n. [F. maternité, LL. maternitas.] 1. The state of being a mother; motherhood.
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2. The character of a mother; maternal quality; motherliness.
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3. The maternity ward; the maternity department of a hospital.
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maternity (?), a. 1. Of or pertaining to childbirth or the period during which a woman is pregnant; as, maternity care; a maternity hospital.
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2. For use during pregnancy; as, a maternity outfit.
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maternity ward (?), n. The section of a hospital devoted to assisting women during childbirth and caring for them and their newborn infants until they are released to go home.
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matey adj. having the relationship of friends or pals. [colloquial]
Syn. -- chummy, pally, palsy-walsy.
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Matfelon (?), n. [W. madfelen.] (Bot.) The knapweed (Centaurea nigra).
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Math (măth), n. [AS. mǣð; akin to māwan to mow, G. mahd math. See to cut (grass).] A mowing, or that which is gathered by mowing; -- chiefly used in composition; as, an aftermath. [Obs.]
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The first mowing thereof, for the king's use, is wont to be sooner than the common math. Bp. Hall.
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Mathematic (?), a. [F. mathématique, L. mathematicus, Gr. � disposed to learn, belonging to learning or the sciences, especially to mathematics, fr. � that which is learned, learning, pl. � things learned, learning, science, especially mathematical science, fr. �, �, to learn; akin to E. mind. See .] See .
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Mathematical (?), a. [See .] Of or pertaining to mathematics; according to mathematics; hence, theoretically precise; accurate; as, mathematical geography; mathematical instruments; mathematical exactness. -- Mathematically, adv.
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Mathematician (?), n. [Cf. F. mathématicien.] One versed in mathematics.
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Mathematics (?), n. [F. mathématiques, pl., L. mathematica, sing., Gr. � (sc. �) science. See , and .] That science, or class of sciences, which treats of the exact relations existing between quantities or magnitudes, and of the methods by which, in accordance with these relations, quantities sought are deducible from other quantities known or supposed; the science of spatial and quantitative relations.
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☞ Mathematics embraces three departments, namely: 1. Arithmetic. 2. Geometry, including Trigonometry and Conic Sections. 3. Analysis, in which letters are used, including Algebra, Analytical Geometry, and Calculus. Each of these divisions is divided into pure or abstract, which considers magnitude or quantity abstractly, without relation to matter; and mixed or applied, which treats of magnitude as subsisting in material bodies, and is consequently interwoven with physical considerations.
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Mather (?), n. See .
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Mathes (?), n. [Perh. corrupted fr. L. anthemis camomile, Gr. � .] (Bot.) The mayweed. Cf. .
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Mathesis (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. �, from �, �, to learn.] Learning; especially, mathematics. [R.] Pope.
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Mathurin (?), n. (R. C. Ch.) See .
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Matico (?), n. (Bot.) A Peruvian plant (Piperelongatum or Artanthe elongatum), allied to the pepper, the leaves of which are used as a styptic and astringent.
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Matie (?), n. (Zoöl.) A fat herring with undeveloped roe. [Written also matty.] [Eng. & Scot.]
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Mâtin (?), n. [F. mâtin.] (Zoöl.) A French mastiff.
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Matin (?), n. [F. fr. L. matutinum the morning, matutinus of the morning, Matuta the goddess of the morning. See .] 1. Morning. [Obs.] Shak.
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2. pl. [F. matines. See Etymol. above.] Morning worship or service; morning prayers or songs.
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The winged choristers began
To chirp their matins. Cleveland.
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3. Time of morning service; the first canonical hour in the Roman Catholic Church.
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matin, a. Of or pertaining to the morning, or to matins; used in the morning; matutinal.
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matinal (?), a. Relating to the morning, or to matins; matutinal.
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matinée (?), n. [F., from matin. See .] A reception, or a musical or dramatic entertainment, held in the daytime. See .
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matrass (?), n. [F. matras; perh. so called from its long narrow neck; cf. OF. matras large arrow, L. materis, mataris, matara, a Celtic javelin, pike; of Celtic origin.] (Chem.) A round-bottomed glass flask having a long neck; a bolthead.
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Matress (?), n. See .
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matriarch (?), n. [L. mater mother + -arch.] 1. The mother and ruler of a family or of her descendants; a ruler by maternal right.
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2. A woman who dominates or is the most important member of a group or organization; in businesses, often the founder or owner of the largest interest.
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3. A venerated old woman.
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matriarchal (?), a. Of or pertaining to a matriarch; governed by a matriarch or matriarchs; as, a matriarchal society.
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Matriarchate (?), n. The office or jurisdiction of a matriarch; a matriarchal form of government.
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matric n. [Shortened from matriculation.] admission to a group (especially a college or university). [slang]
Syn. -- matriculation.
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Matricaria prop. n. A genus of chiefly Old World strong-smelling weedy herbs; it comprises plants sometimes included in other genera, such as Tanacetum and Tripleurospermum.
Syn. -- genus Matricaria.
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Matrice (?), n. [Cf. F. matrice. See .] See .
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matricentric adj. centered upon the mother. [Narrower terms: matriarchal (vs. patriarchal)]
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Matricidal (?), a. Of or pertaining to matricide.
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Matricide (?), n. [L. matricidium; mater mother + coedere to kill, slay: cf. F. matricide. See , and cf. .] 1. The murder of a mother by her son or daughter.
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2. [L. matricida: cf. F. matricide.] One who murders one's own mother.
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Matriculate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Matriculated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Matriculating.] [L. matricula a public roll or register, dim. of matrix a mother, in respect to propagation, also, a public register. See .] To enroll; to enter in a register; specifically, to enter or admit to membership in a body or society, particularly in a college or university, by enrolling the name in a register.
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In discovering and matriculating the arms of commissaries from North America. Sir W. Scott.
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Matriculate, v. i. To go though the process of admission to membership, as by examination and enrollment, in a society or college.
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Matriculate (?), a. Matriculated. Skelton. -- n. One who is matriculated. Arbuthnot.
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Matriculation (?), n. The act or process of matriculating; the state of being matriculated.
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matrilineage n. The line of descent traced through the maternal side of the family; the mother's line of descent.
Syn. -- enation, cognation.
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matrilineal adj. tracing descent through the female line.
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Matrimoine (?), n. Matrimony. [Obs.]
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Matrimonial (?), a. [L. matrimonialis: cf. F. matrimonial. See .] Of or pertaining to marriage; derived from marriage; connubial; nuptial; hymeneal; as, matrimonial rights or duties.
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If he relied upon that title, he could be but a king at courtesy, and have rather a matrimonial than a regal power. Bacon.
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Syn. -- Connubial; conjugal; sponsal; spousal; nuptial; hymeneal.
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Matrimonially, adv. In a matrimonial manner.
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Matrimonious (?), a. Matrimonial. [R.] Milton.
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Matrimony (?), n. [OE. matrimoine, through Old French, fr. L. matrimonium, fr. mater mother. See .] 1. The union of man and woman as husband and wife; the nuptial state; marriage; wedlock.
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If either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, ye do now confess it. Book of Com. Prayer (Eng. Ed.)
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2. A kind of game at cards played by several persons.
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Coloq. Matrimony vine (Bot.), a climbing thorny vine (Lycium barbarum) of the Potato family. Gray.
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Syn. -- Marriage; wedlock. See .
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matrisib n. One related on the mother's side.
Syn. -- enate, matrikin, matrilineal kin, matrilineal sib.
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matrix (mātrĭks), n.; pl. Matrices (mătrĭsēz). [L., fr. mater mother. See , and cf. .]
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1. (Anat.) The womb.
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All that openeth the matrix is mine. Ex. xxxiv. 19.
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2. Hence: That which gives form or origin to anything; as: (a) (Mech.) The cavity in which anything is formed, and which gives it shape; a die; a mold, as for the face of a type. (b) (Min.) The earthy or stony substance in which metallic ores or crystallized minerals are found; the gangue. (c) pl. (Dyeing) The five simple colors, black, white, blue, red, and yellow, of which all the rest are composed.
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3. (Biol.) The lifeless portion of tissue, either animal or vegetable, situated between the cells; the intercellular substance.
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4. (Math.) A rectangular arrangement of symbols in rows and columns. The symbols may express quantities or operations.
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Matron (?), n. [F. matrone, L. matrona, fr. mater mother. See .] 1. A wife or a widow, especially, one who has borne children; a woman of staid or motherly manners.
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Your wives, your daughters,
Your matrons, and your maids. Shak.
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Grave from her cradle, insomuch that she was a matron before she was a mother. Fuller.
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2. A housekeeper; esp., a woman who manages the domestic economy of a public instution; a head nurse in a hospital; as, the matron of a school or hospital.
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Coloq. Jury of matrons (Law), a jury of experienced women called to determine the question of pregnancy when set up in bar of execution, and for other cognate purposes.
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Matronage (?), n. 1. The state of a matron.
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2. The collective body of matrons. Burke.
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Can a politician slight the feelings and convictions of the whole matronage of his country? Hare.
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Matronal (?), a. [L. matronalis.] Of or pertaining to a matron; suitable to an elderly lady or to a married woman; grave; motherly.
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Matronhood (?), n. The state of being a matron.
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Matronize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Matronized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Matronizing (?).] 1. To make a matron of; to make matronlike.
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Childbed matronizes the giddiest spirits. Richardson.
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2. To act the part of a matron toward; to superintend; to chaperone; as, to matronize an assembly.
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Matronlike (?), a. Like a matron; sedate; grave; matronly.
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Matronly, a. 1. Advanced in years; elderly.
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2. Like, or befitting, a matron; grave; sedate.
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Matronymic (?), n. [L. mater mother + -nymic, as in patronimic.] See .
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Matross (?), n. [D. matroos, fr. F. matelot.] (Mil.) Formerly, in the British service, a gunner or a gunner's mate; one of the soldiers in a train of artillery, who assisted the gunners in loading, firing, and sponging the guns. [Obs.]
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Matt (?), n. See . Knight.
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Mattages (?), n. (Zoöl.) A shrike or butcher bird; -- written also matagasse. [Prov. Eng.]
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Mattamore (?), n. [F. matamore, from Ar. maṭmōra.] A subterranean repository for wheat.
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Matte (măt), n. [F. matte; cf. F. mat, masc., matte, fem., faint, dull, dim; -- said of metals. See checkmate.] 1. (Metallurgy) A partly reduced copper sulphide, obtained by alternately roasting and melting copper ore in separating the metal from associated iron ores, and called coarse metal, fine metal, etc., according to the grade of fineness. On the exterior it is dark brown or black, but on a fresh surface is yellow or bronzy in color.
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2. A dead or dull finish, as in gilding where the gold leaf is not burnished, or in painting where the surface is purposely deprived of gloss.
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matte (măt), a. Having a dull, lusterless surface finish; opposed to glossy or polished; as, a matte photograph; a proof coin with matte figures on a polished field.
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Matted (?), a. [See .] Having a dull surface; lusterless; unburnished; same as ; as, matted gold leaf or gilding.
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Coloq. Matted glass , glass ornamented with figures on a dull ground.
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Matted, a. [See 3d .] 1. Covered with a mat or mats; as, a matted floor.
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2. Tangled closely together; having its parts adhering closely together; as, matted hair.
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Matter (?), n. [OE. matere, F. matière, fr. L. materia; perh. akin to L. mater mother. Cf. , , .] 1. That of which anything is composed; constituent substance; material; the material or substantial part of anything; the constituent elements of conception; that into which a notion may be analyzed; the essence; the pith; the embodiment.
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He is the matter of virtue. B. Jonson.
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2. That of which the sensible universe and all existent bodies are composed; anything which has extension, occupies space, or is perceptible by the senses; body; substance.
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☞ Matter is usually divided by philosophical writers into three kinds or classes: solid, liquid, and gaseous. Solid substances are those whose parts firmly cohere and resist impression, as wood or stone. Liquids have free motion among their parts, and easily yield to impression, as water and wine. Gaseous substances are elastic fluids, called vapors and gases, as air and oxygen gas.
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3. That with regard to, or about which, anything takes place or is done; the thing aimed at, treated of, or treated; subject of action, discussion, consideration, feeling, complaint, legal action, or the like; theme. “If the matter should be tried by duel.” Bacon.
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Son of God, Savior of men! Thy name
Shall be the copious matter of my song. Milton.
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Every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge. Ex. xviii. 22.
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4. That which one has to treat, or with which one has to do; concern; affair; business.
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To help the matter, the alchemists call in many vanities out of astrology. Bacon.
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Some young female seems to have carried matters so far, that she is ripe for asking advice. Spectator.
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5. Affair worthy of account; thing of consequence; importance; significance; moment; -- chiefly in the phrases what matter? no matter, and the like.
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A prophet some, and some a poet, cry;
No matter which, so neither of them lie. Dryden.
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6. Inducing cause or occasion, especially of anything disagreeable or distressing; difficulty; trouble.
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And this is the matter why interpreters upon that passage in Hosea will not consent it to be a true story, that the prophet took a harlot to wife. Milton.
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