matrix

C2+ Topic:General Vocabulary

US /ˈmeɪtrɪks/ UK /ˈmeɪtrɪks/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

noun
an environment in which something develops; a rectangular array of numbers

The valley was the matrix in which the new culture grew.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · an environment in which... array grid mold womb framework lattice

Word family

Derived forms matrical

Related forms matron maternal mothermatrices

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

diagonal matrix
a square array of numbers whose entries outside the main diagonal are zero

Adjective + noun

Simplified etymology

Matrix entered English in the late Middle Ages and ultimately derives from the Latin family of mater, “mother.” Its early history carries the idea of a source or substance from which something is formed or born.

Etymology

From Latin mātrix ('breeding female, womb, source'), from māter ('mother'). Originally 'womb', it came to mean a mold or generative environment, and in mathematics a rectangular array.

mātrix Latin māter Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

General Vocabulary

External links

# matrix

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈmeɪtrɪks/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈmeɪtrɪks/

## Meanings
1. an environment in which something develops; a rectangular array of numbers

## Examples
- The valley was the matrix in which the new culture grew.

## Synonyms
- array
- grid
- mold
- womb
- framework
- lattice

## Derived Forms
- matrical

## Related Forms
- matron
- maternal
- mother
- matrices

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: mātrix
- Root: māter

## Etymology
From Latin mātrix ('breeding female, womb, source'), from māter ('mother'). Originally 'womb', it came to mean a mold or generative environment, and in mathematics a rectangular array.

## AI Etymology
Matrix comes from Latin mātrix ('breeding female, womb, source'), from māter ('mother'). Originally 'womb', it came to mean a mold or generative environment, and in mathematics a rectangular array. The etymological trail includes Latin mātrix and Latin māter. As a noun, matrix means an environment in which something develops; a rectangular array of numbers. The same family is visible in derived forms such as matrical and related forms such as matron, maternal, mother, and matrices.

## Topics
- General Vocabulary

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