matter

Meanings

Noun

• Material, substance.
• An affair, condition, or subject, especially one of concern or (especially when preceded by the) one that is problematic.
• An approximate amount or extent.
• The essence; the pith; the embodiment.
• Inducing cause or reason, especially of anything disagreeable or distressing.
• Pus.

Verb

• To be important.
• To care about, to mind; to find important.
• To form pus or matter, as an abscess; to maturate.

Related

Similar words

• material
• stuff
• substance
• signify

Origin

• From Middle English matere, mater, from Anglo-Norman materie, from Old French materie, from Latin materia, from mater. Madeira.
• The word displaced the native Middle English andweorc ("material, matter"), from Old English andweorc), Old English intinga.