ma·trix (m  tr ks)n. pl. ma·tri·ces (m tr-s z , m tr-) or ma·trix·es 1. A situation or surrounding substance within which something else originates, develops, or is contained: "Freedom of expression is the matrix, the indispensable condition, of nearly every form of freedom" (Benjamin N. Cardozo). 2. The womb. 3. Anatomy a. The formative cells or tissue of a fingernail, toenail, or tooth. b. See ground substance. 4. Geology a. The solid matter in which a fossil or crystal is embedded. b. Groundmass. 5. A mold or die. 6. The principal metal in an alloy, as the iron in steel. 7. A binding substance, as cement in concrete. 8. a. Mathematics A rectangular array of numeric or algebraic quantities subject to mathematical operations. b. Something resembling such an array, as in the regular formation of elements into columns and rows. 9. Computer Science The network of intersections between input and output leads in a computer, functioning as an encoder or a decoder. 10. Printing a. A mold used in stereotyping and designed to receive positive impressions of type or illustrations from which metal plates can be cast. Also called mat2. b. A metal plate used for casting typefaces. 11. An electroplated impression of a phonograph record used to make duplicate records. [Middle English matrice, from Old French, from Late Latin m tr x, mtrc-, from Latin, breeding-animal, from mter, mtr-, mother; see mter- in Indo-European roots.] |
matrix [ˈmeɪtrɪks ˈmæ-]
n pl matrices [ˈmeɪtrɪˌsiːz ˈmæ-], matrixes
1. a substance, situation, or environment in which something has its origin, takes form, or is enclosed
2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Anatomy) Anatomy the thick tissue at the base of a nail from which a fingernail or toenail develops
3. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) the intercellular substance of bone, cartilage, connective tissue, etc.
4. (Earth Sciences / Geological Science)
a. the rock material in which fossils, pebbles, etc., are embedded
b. the material in which a mineral is embedded; gangue
5. (Communication Arts / Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) Printing
a. a metal mould for casting type
b. a papier-mâché or plastic mould impressed from the forme and used for stereotyping Sometimes shortened to mat
6. (Electronics) (formerly) a mould used in the production of gramophone records. It is obtained by electrodeposition onto the master
7. (Engineering / Mechanical Engineering) a bed of perforated material placed beneath a workpiece in a press or stamping machine against which the punch operates
8. (Engineering / Metallurgy) Metallurgy
a. the shaped cathode used in electroforming
b. the metal constituting the major part of an alloy
c. the soft metal in a plain bearing in which the hard particles of surface metal are embedded
9. (Chemistry) the main component of a composite material, such as the plastic in a fibre-reinforced plastic
10. (Mathematics) Maths a rectangular array of elements set out in rows and columns, used to facilitate the solution of problems, such as the transformation of coordinates. Usually indicated by parentheses: (
) Compare determinant [3]
) Compare determinant [3]11. (Linguistics) Linguistics the main clause of a complex sentence
12. (Electronics & Computer Science / Computer Science) Computing a rectangular array of circuit elements usually used to generate one set of signals from another
13. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Anatomy) Obsolete the womb
[from Latin: womb, female animal used for breeding, from māter mother]
| matrix (mtrks) Plural matrices (m tr-sz, mtr-) or matrixes 1. Geology The mineral grains of a rock in which fossils are embedded. 2. Biology The component of an animal or plant tissue that is outside the cells. Bone cells are embedded in a matrix of collagen fibers and mineral salts. Connective tissue consists of cells and extracellular fibers in a liquid called ground substance. Also called extracellular matrix. 3. Mathematics A rectangular array of numeric or algebraic quantities subject to mathematical operations. 4. Anatomy The formative cells or tissue of a fingernail, toenail, or tooth. |
matrix - From Latin, meaning "breeding female," it originally was used for the uterus or womb, then for a supporting or enclosing structure.
See also related terms for womb.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  matrix - (mathematics) a rectangular array of quantities or expressions set out by rows and columns; treated as a single element and manipulated according to rulesmath, mathematics, maths - a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement correlation matrix - a matrix giving the correlations between all pairs of data sets array - an orderly arrangement; "an array of troops in battle order" dot matrix - a rectangular matrix of dots from which written characters can be formed square matrix - a matrix with the same number of rows and columns real matrix - a matrix whose elements are all real numbers transpose - a matrix formed by interchanging the rows and columns of a given matrix |
| 2. | matrix - (geology) amass of fine-grained rock in which fossils, crystals, or gems are embedded geology - a science that deals with the history of the earth as recorded in rocks | |
| 3. |  matrix - an enclosure within which something originates or develops (from the Latin for womb)natural enclosure, enclosure - a naturally enclosed space | |
| 4. | matrix - the body substance in which tissue cells are embedded body substance - the substance of the body connective tissue - tissue of mesodermal origin consisting of e.g. collagen fibroblasts and fatty cells; supports organs and fills spaces between them and forms tendons and ligaments | |
| 5. |  matrix - the formative tissue at the base of a nailanimal tissue - the tissue in the bodies of animals nail - horny plate covering and protecting part of the dorsal surface of the digits | |
| 6. |  matrix - mold used in the production of phonograph records, type, or other relief surface |
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