1 [mass noun] physical substance in general, as distinct from mind and spirit; (in physics) that which occupies space and possesses rest mass, especially as distinct from energy:the structure and properties of matter
[usually with adjective] a particular substance:organic matterfaecal matter
written or printed material:reading matter
Printing the body of a printed work, as distinct from titles, headings, etc..
2a subject or situation under consideration:a great deal of work was done on this matterfinancial matters
Law something which is to be tried or proved in court; a case.
(matters) the present state of affairs:we can do nothing to change matters
the substance or content of a text as distinct from its style or form.
Logic the particular content of a proposition, as distinct from its form.
3 [with negative or in questions] (the matter) the reason for distress or a problem:what’s the matter?
ზმნა
Universal
1 [usually with negative or in questions] be important or significant:it doesn’t matter what the guests wearwhat did it matter to them?
(of a person) be important or influential:she was trying to get known by the people who matter
2US (of a wound) secrete or discharge pus.
for that matter
used to indicate that a subject, though mentioned second, is as relevant as the first:I am not sure what value it adds to determining public, or for that matter private, policy
in the matter of
as regards:the British are given pre-eminence in the matter of tea
it is only a matter of time
there will not be long to wait:it’s only a matter of time before the general is removed
a matter of
1no more than (a specified period of time):they were shown the door in a matter of minutes
2a thing that involves or depends on:it’s a matter of working out how to get something done
3 (a matter of/for) something that evokes (a specified feeling):it’s a matter of complete indifference to me
a matter of course
the usual or expected thing:the reports are published as a matter of course
a matter of form
a point of correct procedure:they must as a matter of proper form check to see that there is no tax liability
