MATERIAL


Meaning of MATERIAL in English

I. mə-ˈtir-ē-əl adjective

Etymology: Middle English materiel, from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin materialis, from Latin materia matter — more at matter

Date: 14th century

1.

a.

(1) : relating to, derived from, or consisting of matter ; especially : physical

the material world

(2) : bodily

material needs

b.

(1) : of or relating to matter rather than form

material cause

(2) : of or relating to the subject matter of reasoning ; especially : empirical

material knowledge

2. : having real importance or great consequences

facts material 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

material progress

• ma·te·ri·al·ly -ē-ə-lē adverb

• ma·te·ri·al·ness noun

Synonyms:

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

Synonym: see in addition relevant .

II. noun

Date: 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 material

explosive material s

b.

(1) : something (as data) that may be worked into a more finished form

material for a biography

(2) : something used for or made the object of study

material for the next semester

(3) : a performer's repertoire

a comedian's material

c. : matter 3b

d. : cloth

e. : a person potentially suited to some pursuit

varsity material

leadership material

2.

a. : apparatus necessary for doing or making something

writing material s

b. : materiel

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.