ma‧trix /ˈmeɪtrɪks/ noun (plural matrices /-trəsiːz, -trɪsiːz/ or matrixes) [countable] technical
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: 'womb', from mater 'mother']

1. an arrangement of numbers, letters, or signs in rows and columns that you consider to be one amount, and that you use in solving mathematical problems:
a matrix table

2. a situation from which a person or society can grow and develop:
the cultural matrix

3. a living part in which something is formed or develops, such as the substance from which your fingernails grow

4. a mould (=hollow container) into which melted metal, plastic etc is poured to form a shape

5. the rock in which hard stones or jewels have formed
⇒ dot-matrix printer

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲