ˈmætə n. & v. --n. 1 a
physical substance in
general, as
distinct from mind and spirit. b
that which has mass and occupies
space. 2 a
particular substance (colouring matter). 3 (prec. by
the;
often foll. by with) the
thing that is
amiss (what is the matter?;
there is
something the matter
with him). 4
material for thought or
expression. 5 a the substance of a
book,
speech,
etc., as distinct from
its manner or
form. b
Logic the particular content of a
proposition, as distinct from its form. 6 a thing or things of a specified kind (printed matter;
reading matter). 7 an
affair or
situation being considered,
esp. in a specified
way (a
serious matter; a matter for
concern; the matter of
your overdraft). 8 Physiol. a
any substance in or discharged from the
body (faecal matter;
grey matter). b
pus. 9 (foll. by
of, for)
what is or
may be a
good reason for (complaint,
regret, etc.). 10
Printing the body of a printed
work, as
type or as printed sheets. --v.intr. 1 (often foll. by to) be of
importance;
have significance (it
does not matter to me
when it happened). 2 secrete or
discharge pus. øas a matter of
fact in
reality (esp. to
correct a
falsehood or misunderstanding). for that matter (or for the matter of that) 1 as
far as that is
concerned. 2 and
indeed also. in the matter of as regards. a matter of 1 approximately (for a matter of 40 years). 2 a thing that relates
to, depends
on, or is
determined by (a matter of
habit;
only a matter of
time before they agree). a matter of
course see COURSE. a matter of fact 1 what belongs to the
sphere of fact as distinct from
opinion etc. 2
Law the
part of a
judicial inquiry concerned with the
truth of alleged facts (see also MATTER-OF-FACT). a matter of form a mere
routine. a matter of law Law the part of a judicial inquiry concerned with the interpretation of the law. a matter of
record see RECORD. no matter 1 (foll. by when, how, etc.)
regardless of (will do it no matter what the consequences). 2 it is of no importance. what is the matter with
surely there is no
objection to. what matter? that
need not
worry us. [ME f. AF mater(i)e, OF matiere f. L materia
timber, substance,
subject of discourse]