what's the matter?

substance

noun

1 a particular kind of matter with uniform properties

• an intoxicating, stimulating, or narcotic chemical or drug, esp. an illegal one.

2 the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists and which has a tangible, solid presence

• the quality of having a solid basis in reality or fact

• the quality of being dependable or stable

3 the quality of being important, valid, or significant

• the most important or essential part of something; the real or essential meaning

• the subject matter of a text, speech, or work of art, esp. as contrasted with the form or style in which it is presented.

• wealth and possessions

• Philosophy the essential nature underlying phenomena, which is subject to changes and accidents.

ORIGIN Middle English (denoting the essential nature of something): from Old French, from Latin substantia 'being, essence,' from substant- 'standing firm,' from the verb substare.

material

noun

1 the matter from which a thing is or can be made

• (usu. materials) things needed for an activity

• [with adj. ] a person of a specified quality or suitability

2 facts, information, or ideas for use in creating a book or other work

• items, esp. songs or jokes, comprising a performer's act

3 cloth or fabric

adjective

1 [ attrib. ] denoting or consisting of physical objects rather than the mind or spirit

• concerned with physical needs or desires

• concerned with the matter of reasoning, not its form

2 important; essential; relevant

• chiefly Law (of evidence or a fact) significant, influential, or relevant, esp. to the extent of determining a cause or affecting a judgment : information that could be material to a murder inquiry.

ORIGIN late Middle English (in the sense [relating to matter] ): from late Latin materialis, adjective from Latin materia ‘matter.’

matter

noun

1 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

• a substance or material

• a substance in or discharged from the body

• written or printed material

2 an affair or situation under consideration; a topic

3 the reason for distress or a problem : what's the matter? | pretend that nothing's the matter.

4 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 [ intrans. ]

1 be of importance; have significance

• be important or influential

2 rare (of a wound) secrete or discharge pus.

ORIGIN Middle English : via Old French from Latin materia 'timber, substance,' also 'subject of discourse,' from mater 'mother.'