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material
1 a
(1): relating to, derived from, or consisting of matter
; especially : physical <the material world>
(2): bodily <material needs> b
(1): of or relating to matter rather than form <material cause>
(2): of or relating to the subject matter of reasoning
; especially : empirical <material knowledge>2: having real importance or great consequences <facts material to the investigation>3 a: being of a physical or worldly nature b: relating to or concerned with physical rather than spiritual or intellectual things <material progress>
— ma·te·ri·al·ly
\-ē-ə-lē\
adverb
— ma·te·ri·al·ness noun
synonyms material
, physical
, corporeal
, phenomenal
, sensible
, objective mean of or belonging to actuality. material implies formation out of tangible matter; used in contrast with spiritual or ideal it may connote the mundane, crass, or grasping <material values>. physical applies to what is perceived directly by the senses and may contrast with mental, spiritual, or imaginary <the physical benefits of exercise>. corporeal implies having the tangible qualities of a body such as shape, size, or resistance to force <artists have portrayed angels as corporeal beings>. phenomenal applies to what is known or perceived through the senses rather than by intuition or rational deduction <scientists concerned with the phenomenal world>. sensible stresses the capability of readily or forcibly impressing the senses <the earth's rotation is not sensible to us>. objective may stress material or independent existence apart from a subject perceiving it <no objective evidence of damage>.
synonyms see in addition relevant
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