MATE'RIAL, a. [L. materia, matter.]
1. Consisting of matter; not spiritual; as material substance; material bodies.
2. Important; momentous; more or less necessary; having influence or effect.
Hold them for catholics or heretics, it is not a thing very material in this question.
In the account of simple ideas, I shall set down only such as are most material to our present purpose.
So we say, a material point; a material fault or error; a material fact or consideration.
3. Not formal; substantial.
4. Furnishing materials; as material men.
MATE'RIAL, n. The substance or matter of which any thing is made; as, wool is the material of cloth; rags are the material of paper.
