Ma*te"ri*al , v. t. To form from matter; to materialize. [Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.
Ma*te"ri*al , n. The substance or matter of
which anything is made or may be made.
Raw material, any crude, unfinished, or elementary materials that are adapted to use only by processes of skilled labor. Cotton, wool, ore, logs, etc., are raw material.
Ma*te"ri*al (?), a. [L. materialis, fr. materia stuff, matter: cf. F. matériel. See Matter, and cf. MatÉriel.]
1. Consisting of matter; not spiritual; corporeal; physical; as, material substance or bodies.
The material elements of the universe.
Whewell.
2. Hence: Pertaining to, or affecting, the physical nature of man, as distinguished from the mental or
moral nature; relating to the bodily
wants, interests, and comforts.
3. Of solid or weighty character; not insubstantial; of consequence; not be dispensed with; important.
Discourse, which was always material, never trifling.
Evelyn. I shall, in the
account of simple ideas, set down only such as are most material to our present purpose.
Locke.
4. (Logic.)
Pertaining to the matter, as opposed to the form, of a thing. See Matter.
Material cause.
See under Cause. -- Material evidence
(Law), evidence
which conduces to the proof or
disproof of a relevant hypothesis. Wharton.
Syn. -- Corporeal; bodily; important; weighty; momentous; essential.
Hear it pronounced