ma·trix
(m
tr
ks)
KEY
NOUN:
pl.
ma·tri·ces
(m
tr
-s
z
, m
t
r
-)
KEY
or
ma·trix·es
- 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).
- The womb.
-
Anatomy
- The formative cells or tissue of a fingernail, toenail, or tooth.
- See ground substance.
-
Geology
- The solid matter in which a fossil or crystal is embedded.
- Groundmass.
- A mold or die.
- The principal metal in an alloy, as the iron in steel.
- A binding substance, as cement in concrete.
-
-
Mathematics
A rectangular array of numeric or algebraic quantities subject to mathematical operations.
- Something resembling such an array, as in the regular formation of elements into columns and rows.
-
Computer Science
The network of intersections between input and output leads in a computer, functioning as an encoder or a decoder.
-
Printing
- A mold used in stereotyping and designed to receive positive impressions of type or illustrations from which metal plates can be cast.
Also called
mat
2
.
- A metal plate used for casting typefaces.
- An electroplated impression of a phonograph record used to make duplicate records.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English
matrice, from Old French, from Late Latin
mtr
x
, mtrc-, from Latin,
breeding-animal, from
mter
, mtr-,
mother; see
mter- in Indo-European roots
