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