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noun
1.
2.
physical or corporeal substance in general, whether solid, liquid, or gaseous, especially as distinguished from incorporeal substance, as spirit or mind, or from qualities, actions, and the like.
3.
something that occupies space.
4.
a particular kind of substance: coloring matter.
5.
EXPANDa situation, state, affair, or business: a trivial matter.
6.
an amount or extent reckoned approximately: a matter of 10 miles.
7.
something of consequence: matter for serious thought.
8.
importance or significance: decisions of little matter.
9.
difficulty; trouble (usually preceded by the): There is something the matter.
10.
ground, reason, or cause: a matter for complaint.
11.
the material or substance of a discourse, book, etc., often as distinguished from its form.
12.
things put down in words, especially printed: reading matter.
13.
things sent by mail: postal matter.
14.
a substance discharged by a living body, especially pus.
15.
Philosophy.
a.
that which by integrative organization forms chemical substances and living things.
b.
Aristotelianism. that which relates to form as potentiality does to actuality.
16.
Law. statement or allegation.
17.
18.
COLLAPSEChristian Science. the concept of substance shaped by the limitations of the human mind.
verb (used without object)
19.
to be of importance; signify: It matters little.
20.
Pathology. to suppurate.
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Mattered
is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
21.
a matter of life and death, something of vital or crucial importance.
22.
as a matter of fact, in reality; actually; in fact: As a matter of fact, there is no substance to that rumor.
23.
for that matter, as far as that is concerned; as for that: For that matter, you are no better qualified to judge than I. Also, for the matter of that.
24.
no matter,
a.
regardless or irrespective of: We'll never finish on time, no matter how hard we work.
b.
it is unimportant; it makes no difference: No matter, this string will do as well as any other.
Origin:
1175–1225; Middle English mater(e), materie < Anglo-French, Old French mat(i)ere, materie < Latin māteria woody part of a tree, material, substance, derivative of māter mother1
1175–1225; Middle English mater(e), materie < Anglo-French, Old French mat(i)ere, materie < Latin māteria woody part of a tree, material, substance, derivative of māter mother1
Related forms
mat·ter·ful, adjective
mat·ter·less, adjective
non·mat·ter, noun
Synonyms
1. Matter, material, stuff, substance refer to that of which physical objects are composed (though all these terms are also used abstractly). Matter, as distinct from mind and spirit, is a broad word that applies to anything perceived, or known to be occupying space: solid matter; gaseous matter. Material usually means some definite kind, quality, or quantity of matter, especially as intended for use: woolen material; a house built of good materials. Stuff, a less technical word, with approximately the same meanings as material, is characterized by being on an informal level when it refers to physical objects (Dynamite is queer stuff), and on a literary or poetic one when it is used abstractly (the stuff that dreams are made on). Substance is the matter that composes a thing, thought of in relation to its essential properties: a sticky substance. 5. question. 7. concern. 8. moment. 11. subject, topic. 19. count.
1. Matter, material, stuff, substance refer to that of which physical objects are composed (though all these terms are also used abstractly). Matter, as distinct from mind and spirit, is a broad word that applies to anything perceived, or known to be occupying space: solid matter; gaseous matter. Material usually means some definite kind, quality, or quantity of matter, especially as intended for use: woolen material; a house built of good materials. Stuff, a less technical word, with approximately the same meanings as material, is characterized by being on an informal level when it refers to physical objects (Dynamite is queer stuff), and on a literary or poetic one when it is used abstractly (the stuff that dreams are made on). Substance is the matter that composes a thing, thought of in relation to its essential properties: a sticky substance. 5. question. 7. concern. 8. moment. 11. subject, topic. 19. count.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To mattered
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
matter
c.1300, "material of thought, speech, or expression," from Anglo-Norm. matere, from L. materia "substance from which something is made," also "hard inner wood of a tree" (cf. Port. madeira "wood"), perhaps from mater "origin, source, mother." Or, on another theory, it represents *dmateria, from PIE root
EXPAND*dem-/*dom- (cf. L. domus "house," Eng. timber). With sense development influenced by Gk. hyle, of which it was the equivalent in philosophy. Meaning "substance of which physical objects are made" is attested from mid-14c. That of "grounds, reason, or cause for something" also is first recorded mid-14c. The verb meaning "to be of importance or consequence" is from 1580s. What is the matter "what concerns (someone)" is attested from mid-15c.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
matter mat·ter (māt'ər)
n.
Something that occupies space and can be perceived by one or more senses.
A specific type of substance.
Discharge or waste, such as pus or feces, from a living organism.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
matter  (māt'ər) Pronunciation Key
Something that has mass. Most of the matter in the universe is composed of atoms which are themselves composed of subatomic particles. See also energy, state of matter. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary
matter definition
In physics, something that has mass and is distinct from energy. (See phases of matter.)
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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