Material (?), a. [L. materialis, fr. materia stuff, matter: cf. F. matériel. See Matter, and cf. MatÉriel.]
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1. Consisting of matter; not spiritual; corporeal; physical; as, material substance or bodies.
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The material elements of the universe. Whewell.
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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; as, material well-being; material comforts.
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3. Of solid or weighty character; not insubstantial; of consequence; not be dispensed with; important; significant.
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Discourse, which was always material, never trifling. Evelyn.
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I shall, in the account of simple ideas, set down only such as are most material to our present purpose. Locke.
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4. (Logic.) Pertaining to the matter, as opposed to the form, of a thing. See Matter.
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Material cause. See under Cause. -- Material evidence (Law), evidence which conduces to the proof or disproof of a relevant hypothesis. Wharton.
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Syn. -- Corporeal; bodily; important; weighty; momentous; essential.
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Material, v. t. To form from matter; to materialize. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
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