[ma.te.ri.al] adj [ME materiel, fr. MF & LL; MF, fr. LL materialis, fr. L materia matter--more at matter] (14c) 1 a (1): relating to, derived from, or consisting of matter; esp: physical "the ~ world" (2): bodily "~ needs" b (1): of or relating to matter rather than form "~ cause" (2): of or relating to the subject matter of reasoning; esp: empirical "~ knowledge"
2: having real importance or great consequences "facts ~ to the investigation" 3 a: being of a physical or worldly nature b: relating to or concerned with physical rather than spiritual or intellectual things "~ progress" -- ma.te.ri.al.ly adv -- ma.te.ri.al.ness n syn material, physical, corporeal, phenomenal, sensible, objective mean of or belonging to actuality. material implies formation out of tangible matter; used in contrast with spiritual or ideal it may connote the mundane, crass, or grasping "material values". physical applies to what is perceived directly by the senses and may contrast with mental, spiritual, or imaginary "the physical benefits of exercise". corporeal implies having the tangible qualities of a body such as shape, size, or resistance to force "artists have portrayed angels as corporeal beings". phenomenal applies to what is known or perceived through the senses rather than by intuition or rational deduction "scientists concerned with the phenomenal world". sensible stresses the capability of readily or forcibly impressing the senses "the earth's rotation is not sensible to us". objective may stress material or independent existence apart from a subject perceiving it "no objective evidence of damage". syn see in addition relevant
[2]material n (1556) 1 a (1): the elements, constituents, or substances of which something is composed or can be made (2): matter that has qualities which give it individuality and by which it may be categorized "sticky ~" "explosive ~s" b (1): something (as data) that may be worked into a more finished form "~ for a biography" (2): something used for or made the object of study "~ for the next semester" (3): a performer's repertoire "a comedian's ~" c: matter 3b d: cloth e: a person potentially suited to some pursuit "varsity ~" "leadership ~"
2. a: apparatus necessary for doing or making something "writing ~s" b: materiel