matrix
English meaning: Matrix
Definition
The womb.
Example
“To solve the system, the students multiplied the two matrices.”
Another example: “Bone consists of cells embedded in a hard mineral matrix.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Technical to formal; a rectangular array of numbers (mathematics), the surrounding material in which something is embedded (geology, biology), or an environment from which something develops. The womb sense is archaic. Common in maths and science. Plural 'matrices' or 'matrixes'.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'matrix' (womb, breeding female, source), from 'mater' (mother); the mathematical sense was coined in the 19th century.
Synonyms
- array
- grid
- lattice
- womb
Related Words
- transpose
- matrices
- adjacency
- determinant
- eigenvalue
- covariance
- diagonal
- multiplication
- orthogonal
- collagen
Common Collocations
- matrix multiplication
- identity matrix
- extracellular matrix
- risk matrix
- matrix of numbers
- data matrix
Word Forms
matrix (n); matrices/matrixes (pl.)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B