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.
(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]
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).
The womb.
Anatomy
The formative cells or tissue of a fingernail, toenail, or tooth.
The solid matter in which a fossil or crystal is embedded.
Groundmass.
Mathematics A rectangular array of numeric or algebraic quantities subject to mathematical operations.
Something resembling such an array, as in the regular formation of elements into columns and rows.
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.
A metal plate used for casting typefaces.
Geology
The solid matter in which a fossil or crystal is embedded.
Groundmass.
Mathematics A rectangular array of numeric or algebraic quantities subject to mathematical operations.
Something resembling such an array, as in the regular formation of elements into columns and rows.
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.
A metal plate used for casting typefaces.
A mold or die.
The principal metal in an alloy, as the iron in steel.
A binding substance, as cement in concrete.
Mathematics A rectangular array of numeric or algebraic quantities subject to mathematical operations.
Something resembling such an array, as in the regular formation of elements into columns and rows.
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.
A metal plate used for casting typefaces.
Computer Science The network of intersections between input and output leads in a computer, functioning as an encoder or a decoder.
Printing
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.
A metal plate used for casting typefaces.
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.]
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.
(mathematics) a rectangular array of quantities or expressions set out by rows and columns; treated as a single element and manipulated according to rules
2.
(geology) amass of fine-grained rock in which fossils, crystals, or gems are embedded
3.
an enclosure within which something originates or develops (from the Latin for womb)
4.
the body substance in which tissue cells are embedded
5.
the formative tissue at the base of a nail
6.
mold used in the production of phonograph records, type, or other relief surface
Geology The mineral grains of a rock in which fossils are embedded.
Biology The component of an animal or plant tissue that is outside the cells. Bone cells are embedded in a matrix of collagen fibers and mineral salts. Connective tissue consists of cells and extracellular fibers in a liquid called ground substance. Also called extracellular matrix.
Mathematics A rectangular array of numeric or algebraic quantities subject to mathematical operations.
Anatomy The formative cells or tissue of a fingernail, toenail, or tooth.
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]
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