(n.) That of which anything is composed; constituent substance;
material; the material or substantial part of anything; the constituent
elements of conception; that into which a notion may be analyzed; the
essence; the pith; the embodiment.
(n.) That of which the sensible universe and all existent bodies
are composed; anything which has extension, occupies space, or is
perceptible by the senses; body; substance.
(n.) That with regard to, or about which, anything takes place
or is done; the thing aimed at, treated of, or treated; subject of
action, discussion, consideration, feeling, complaint, legal action, or
the like; theme.
(n.) That which one has to treat, or with which one has to do;
concern; affair; business.
(n.) Affair worthy of account; thing of consequence; importance;
significance; moment; -- chiefly in the phrases what matter ? no
matter, and the like.
(n.) Inducing cause or occasion, especially of anything
disagreeable or distressing; difficulty; trouble.
(n.) Amount; quantity; portion; space; -- often indefinite.
(n.) Substance excreted from living animal bodies; that which is
thrown out or discharged in a tumor, boil, or abscess; pus; purulent
substance.
(n.) That which is permanent, or is supposed to be given, and in
or upon which changes are effected by psychological or physical
processes and relations; -- opposed to form.
(n.) Written manuscript, or anything to be set in type; copy;
also, type set up and ready to be used, or which has been used, in
printing.
(v. i.) To be of importance; to import; to signify.
(v. i.) To form pus or matter, as an abscess; to maturate.
(v. t.) To regard as important; to take account of; to care for.
