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matrix

 - 13 dictionary results

ma⋅trix

[mey-triks, ma-]
–noun, plural ma⋅tri⋅ces [mey-tri-seez, ma-] , ma⋅trix⋅es.
1. something that constitutes the place or point from which something else originates, takes form, or develops: The Greco-Roman world was the matrix for Western civilization.
2. Anatomy. a formative part, as the corium beneath a nail.
3. Biology.
a. the intercellular substance of a tissue.
b. ground substance.
4. Petrology. the fine-grained portion of a rock in which coarser crystals or rock fragments are embedded.
5. fine material, as cement, in which lumps of coarser material, as of an aggregate, are embedded.
6. Mining. gangue.
7. Metallurgy. a crystalline phase in an alloy in which other phases are embedded.
8. Printing. a mold for casting typefaces.
9. master (def. 18).
10. (in a press or stamping machine) a multiple die or perforated block on which the material to be formed is placed.
11. Mathematics. a rectangular array of numbers, algebraic symbols, or mathematical functions, esp. when such arrays are added and multiplied according to certain rules.
12. Linguistics. a rectangular display of features characterizing a set of linguistic items, esp. phonemes, usually presented as a set of columns of plus or minus signs specifying the presence or absence of each feature for each item.
13. Also called master. a mold made by electroforming from a disk recording, from which other disks may be pressed.
14. Archaic. the womb.

Origin:
1325–75; ME matris, matrix < L mātrix female animal kept for breeding (LL: register, orig. of such beasts), parent stem (of plants), deriv. of māter mother

ground substance

–noun Biology.
1. Also called matrix. the homogeneous substance in which the fibers and cells of connective tissue are embedded.
2. Also called hyaloplasm. the clear portion of the cell cytoplasm; cytosol.

Origin:
1880–85

mas⋅ter

[mas-ter, mah-ster]
–noun
1. a person with the ability or power to use, control, or dispose of something: a master of six languages; to be master of one's fate.
2. an owner of a slave, animal, etc.
3. an employer of workers or servants.
4. the male head of a household.
5. a person eminently skilled in something, as an occupation, art, or science: the great masters of the Impressionist period.
6. a person whose teachings others accept or follow: a Zen master.
7. Chiefly British. a male teacher or schoolmaster.
8. a worker qualified to teach apprentices and to carry on a trade independently.
9. a title given to a bridge or chess player who has won or placed in a certain number of officially recognized tournaments.
10. a person holding this title.
11. a person who commands a merchant ship; captain.
12. a victor or conqueror.
13. a presiding officer.
14. an officer of the court to whom some or all of the issues in a case may be referred for the purpose of taking testimony and making a report to the court.
15. the Master, Jesus Christ.
16. a person who has been awarded a master's degree.
17. a boy or young man (used chiefly as a term of address).
18. Also called matrix. an original document, drawing, manuscript, etc., from which copies are made.
19. a device for controlling another device operating in a similar way. Compare slave (def. 5).
20. Recording.
a. matrix (def. 13).
b. a tape or disk from which duplicates may be made.
21. Also called copy negative. Photography. a film, usually a negative, used primarily for making large quantities of prints.
22. master of foxhounds.
23. Archaic. a work of art produced by a master.
–adjective
24. being master; exercising mastery; dominant.
25. chief or principal: a master list.
26. directing or controlling: a master switch.
27. of or pertaining to a master from which copies are made: master film; master matrix; master record; master tape.
28. dominating or predominant: a master play.
29. being a master of some occupation, art, etc.; eminently skilled: a master diplomat; a master pianist.
30. being a master carrying on one's trade independently, rather than a worker employed by another: a master plumber.
31. characteristic of a master; showing mastery.
–verb (used with object)
32. to make oneself master of; become an adept in: to master a language.
33. to conquer or overcome: to master one's pride.
34. to rule or direct as master: to master a crew.
35. Recording. to produce a master tape, disk, or record of: The producer recorded, mixed, and mastered the new album.

Origin:
bef. 900; ME maistre, maister, OE magister < L; akin to magnus great


mas⋅ter⋅less, adjective


1. adept, expert. 26. main, leading, primary, prime, cardinal. 31. adept, expert, skillful. 33. subdue, control. 34. govern, manage.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To matrix
ground substance  
n.  
  1. The intercellular material in which the cells and fibers of connective tissue are embedded. Also called matrix.

  2. See hyaloplasm.

ma·trix   (mā'trĭks)   
n.   pl. ma·tri·ces (mā'trĭ-sēz', māt'rĭ-) or ma·trix·es
  1. A situation or surrounding substance within which something else originates, develops, or is contained: "Freedom of expression is the matrix, the indispensable condition, of nearly every form of freedom" (Benjamin N. Cardozo).

  2. The womb.

  3. Anatomy

    1. The formative cells or tissue of a fingernail, toenail, or tooth.

    2. See ground substance.

    3. The solid matter in which a fossil or crystal is embedded.

    4. Groundmass.

    5. Mathematics A rectangular array of numeric or algebraic quantities subject to mathematical operations.

    6. Something resembling such an array, as in the regular formation of elements into columns and rows.

    7. A mold used in stereotyping and designed to receive positive impressions of type or illustrations from which metal plates can be cast. Also called mat2.

    8. A metal plate used for casting typefaces.

  4. Geology

    1. The solid matter in which a fossil or crystal is embedded.

    2. Groundmass.

    3. Mathematics A rectangular array of numeric or algebraic quantities subject to mathematical operations.

    4. Something resembling such an array, as in the regular formation of elements into columns and rows.

    5. A mold used in stereotyping and designed to receive positive impressions of type or illustrations from which metal plates can be cast. Also called mat2.

    6. A metal plate used for casting typefaces.

  5. A mold or die.

  6. The principal metal in an alloy, as the iron in steel.

  7. A binding substance, as cement in concrete.

    1. Mathematics A rectangular array of numeric or algebraic quantities subject to mathematical operations.

    2. Something resembling such an array, as in the regular formation of elements into columns and rows.

    3. A mold used in stereotyping and designed to receive positive impressions of type or illustrations from which metal plates can be cast. Also called mat2.

    4. A metal plate used for casting typefaces.

  8. Computer Science The network of intersections between input and output leads in a computer, functioning as an encoder or a decoder.

  9. Printing

    1. A mold used in stereotyping and designed to receive positive impressions of type or illustrations from which metal plates can be cast. Also called mat2.

    2. A metal plate used for casting typefaces.

  10. An electroplated impression of a phonograph record used to make duplicate records.


[Middle English matrice, from Old French, from Late Latin mātrīx, mātrīc-, from Latin, breeding-animal, from māter, mātr-, mother; see māter- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

master  (n.)
O.E. mægester "one having control or authority," from L. magister "chief, head, director, teacher" (cf. O.Fr. maistre, Fr. maître, It. maestro, Ger. Meister), infl. in M.E. by O.Fr. maistre, from L. magister, contrastive adj. from magis (adv.) "more," itself a comp. of magnus "great." Meaning "original of a recording" is from 1904. In academic senses (from M.L. magister) it is attested from 1380s, originally a degree conveying authority to teach in the universities. The verb is attested from c.1225.

matrix 
1373, from O.Fr. matrice, from L. matrix (gen. matricis) "pregnant animal," in L.L. "womb," also "source, origin," from mater (gen. matris) "mother." Sense of "place or medium where something is developed" is first recorded 1555; sense of "embedding or enclosing mass" first recorded 1641. Logical sense of "array of possible combinations of truth-values" is attested from 1914.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: master
Function: adjective
: being the principal or controlling one : governing a number of subordinate like things master insurance policy>
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ground substance
Function: noun
: a more or less homogeneous matrix that forms the background in which the specific differentiated elements of a system aresuspended: a : the intercellular substance of tissues b : CYTOSOL

Main Entry: ma·trix
Pronunciation: 'mA-triks
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural ma·tri·ces /'mA-tr&-"sEz also'ma-/ or matrixes
1 a : the intercellular substance in which tissue cells (as of connective tissue) are embedded b : the thickened epitheliumat the base of a fingernail or toenail from which new nail substance develops called also nail bed, nail matrix
2 : something (as a surrounding or pervading substanceor element) within which something else originates or takes form or develops
3 : a mass by which something is enclosed or in which something is embedded; especially : an external lightly staining layer presumably composed of deoxyribonucleic acid and basic proteins that is held to surround the chromonemata of a fully differentiated chromosome
4a : a strip or band placed so as to serve as a retaining outer wall of a tooth in filling a cavity b : a metal or porcelain pattern in which an inlay is cast or fused
5 : the substrate on or within which a fungus grows
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

ground substance n.

  1. The amorphous intercellular material in which the cells and fibers of connective tissue are embedded, composed of proteoglycans, plasma constituents, metabolites, water, and ions present between cells and fibers. Also called matrix.

  2. See hyaloplasm.

matrix ma·trix (mā'trĭks)
n. pl. ma·trix·es or ma·tri·ces (mā'trĭ-sēz', māt'rĭ-)

  1. A surrounding substance within which something else originates, develops, or is contained.

  2. The womb.

  3. The formative cells or tissue of a fingernail, toenail, or tooth.

  4. See ground substance.

  5. A specially shaped instrument, plastic material, or metal strip for holding and shaping the material used in filling a tooth cavity.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Computing Dictionary

Matrix
[FidoNet] 1. What the Opus BBS software and sysops call FidoNet.
2. Fanciful term for a cyberspace expected to emerge from current networking experiments (see network, the).
3. The totality of present-day computer networks.
[The Jargon File]

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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