ma ‧ trix /ˈmeɪtrɪks/ BrE AmE noun ( plural matrices /-trəsiːz, -trɪsiːz/ or matrixes ) [countable] technical
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: 'womb' , from mater 'mother' ]
1 . an arrangement of numbers, letters, or signs in rows and ↑ column s that you consider to be one amount, and that you use in solving mathematical problems:
a matrix table
2 . a situation from which a person or society can grow and develop:
the cultural matrix
3 . a living part in which something is formed or develops, such as the substance from which your ↑ fingernail s grow
4 . a ↑ mould (=hollow container) into which melted metal, plastic etc is poured to form a shape
5 . the rock in which hard stones or jewels have formed
⇨ ↑ dot-matrix printer