The word “matter” is as semantically complex as any Greek goddess. It’s hard to explain what underlies the apparent chaos and gives it a mysterious coherence.
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matter
noun
- physical substance in general, as distinct from mind and spirit; (in physics) that which occupies space and possesses rest mass, esp. as distinct from energy : the structure and properties of matter.
- a substance or material : organic matter | vegetable matter.
- a substance in or discharged from the body : fecal matter | waste matter.
- written or printed material : reading matter.
- an affair or situation under consideration; a topic : a great deal of work was done on this matter | financial matters.
- Law something that is to be tried or proved in court; a case.
- (matters) the present situation or state of affairs : we can do nothing to change matters.
- (a matter for/of) something that evokes a specified feeling : it’s a matter of complete indifference to me.
- (a matter for) something that is the concern of a specified person or agency : the evidence is a matter for the courts.
- [usu. with negative or in questions] (the matter) the reason for distress or a problem : what’s the matter? | pretend that nothing’s the matter.
- the substance or content of a text as distinct from its manner or form.
- Printing the body of a printed work, as distinct from titles, headings, etc.
- Logic the particular content of a proposition, as distinct from its form.
verb
- [usu. with negative or in questions ] be of importance; have significance : it doesn’t matter what the guests wear | what did it matter to them? | to him, animals mattered more than human beings.
- (of a person) be important or influential : she was trying to get known by the people who matter.
- rare (of a wound) secrete or discharge pus.
PHRASES
- for that matter – used to indicate that a subject or category, though mentioned second, is as relevant or important 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 preeminence 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 – 1. no more than (a specified period of time) : they were shown the door in a matter of minutes. 2. a thing that involves or depends on : it’s a matter of working out how to get something done.
- a matter of course – the natural 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.
- a matter of record
- no matter – 1. [with clause ] regardless of : no matter what the government calls them, they are cuts. 2. it is of no importance: “No matter, I’ll go myself.”
- to make matters worse – with the result that a bad situation is made worse.
- what matter? – Brit., dated why should that worry us? : what matter if he was a Protestant or not?
ORIGIN: Middle English : via Old French from Latin materia ‘timber, substance,’ also ‘subject of discourse,’ from mater ‘mother.’