Ma"trix (mā"tr&ibreve;ks),
n.; pl.
Matrices (măt"r&ibreve;*sēz). [L., fr.
mater mother. See Mother, and cf. Matrice.]
1. (Anat.) The womb.
All
that openeth the matrix is mine.
Ex. xxxiv.
19. 2. Hence, that which gives form or
origin to anything; as: (a) (Mech.) The cavity in which anything is formed, and which gives it shape; a die;
a mold, as for the face
of a type. (b)
(Min.) The earthy
or stony substance in which metallic ores or crystallized minerals are found; the gangue. (c)
pl. (Dyeing) The five simple colors, black, white, blue, red, and yellow, of which all the
rest are composed.
3.
(Biol.) The lifeless portion of tissue, either animal or vegetable, situated between the cells; the intercellular substance.
4. (Math.) A rectangular arrangement of symbols in rows and columns. The symbols may express quantities or
operations.
Hear it pronounced