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