[W/K] :: matrix

  matrix \ma"trix\ (m[=a]"tr[i^]ks), n.; pl. Matrices
     (m[a^]t"r[i^]*s[=e]z). [L., fr. mater mother. See Mother,
     and cf. Matrice.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. (Anat.) The womb.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              All that openeth the matrix is mine.  --Ex. xxxiv.
                                                    19.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Hence: That which gives form or origin to anything; as:
        (a) (Mech.) The cavity in which anything is formed, and
            which gives it shape; a die; a mold, as for the face
            of a type.
        (b) (Min.) The earthy or stony substance in which metallic
            ores or crystallized minerals are found; the gangue.
        (c) pl. (Dyeing) The five simple colors, black, white,
            blue, red, and yellow, of which all the rest are
            composed.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Biol.) The lifeless portion of tissue, either animal or
        vegetable, situated between the cells; the intercellular
        substance.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. (Math.) A rectangular arrangement of symbols in rows and
        columns. The symbols may express quantities or operations.
        [1913 Webster]

  matrix
       n 1: a rectangular array of elements (or entries) set out by rows
            and columns
       2: an enclosure within which something originates or develops
          (from the Latin for womb)
       3: the body substance in which tissue cells are embedded [syn:
          intercellular substance, ground substance]
       4: the formative tissue at the base of a nail
       5: mold used in the production of phonograph records, type, or
          other relief surface
       [also: matrices (pl)]

  63 Moby Thesaurus words for "matrix":
     Platonic form, Platonic idea, aesthetic form, archetype, art form,
     build, cast, chimney, chute, configuration, conformation,
     country rock, cut, deposit, die, dike, fashion, figuration, figure,
     form, format, formation, frame, gangue, genre, impression,
     inner form, intaglio, last, layout, lode, lodestuff, make, makeup,
     mineral deposit, mint, modality, mode, model, mold, negative,
     ore bed, pattern, pay dirt, prototype, punch, seal, set, shape,
     shoe last, shoot, significant form, stamp, stock, structure, style,
     template, turn, type, uterus, vein, venter, womb
  
  

  Matrix n. [FidoNet] 1. What the Opus BBS software and sysops call
     FidoNet. 2. Fanciful term for a cyberspace expected to emerge from
     current networking experiments (see the network). The name of the
     rather good 1999 cypherpunk movie "The Matrix" played on this sense,
     which however had been established for years before. 3. The totality of
     present-day computer networks (popularized in this sense by John
     Quarterman; rare outside academic literature).
  
  

  Matrix
       
          [FidoNet]  1. What the Opus BBS software and sysops call
          FidoNet.
       
          2. Fanciful term for a cyberspace expected to emerge from
          current networking experiments (see network, the).
       
          3. The totality of present-day computer networks.
       
          [{Jargon File]