immaterial
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immaterial
- /ˌɪ.məˈtɪə.ɹɪ.əl/ UK
- /ˌɪ.məˈtɪ.ɹi.əl/ US
- /ˌɪ.məˈti.ɹi.əl/ Canada
Rhymes with -ɪɹiəl
Where it comes from
The adjective is derived from Late Middle English immaterial, inmateriall (“incorporeal; spiritual”), from Middle French immateriel (“not material”) (modern French immatériel), and from its etymon Medieval Latin immāteriālis (“not material”), from Latin im- (a variant of in- (prefix meaning ‘not’)) + māteriālis (“made of matter, material”) (from māteria (“matter, substance, material”) (from māter, from Proto-Indo-European *méh₂tēr, + ia) + -ālis (suffix forming adjectives of relationship)). The English word is analysable as im- + material.
The noun is derived from the adjective.
adjective more immaterial · most immaterial
- Having no matter or substance; incorporeal. Some believe that because ghosts are immaterial, they can pass through walls.
- Of the nature of the soul or spirit; spiritual. [T]here are ſome beings in the vvorld vvhich cannot depend upon matter or motion, i.e. that there are ſome ſpiritual and immaterial ſubstances or Beings […] If there be then ſuch things in the vvorld vvhich matter and motion cannot be the cauſes of, then there are certainly spiritual and immaterial
- Of no importance; inconsequential, insignificant, unimportant. He has also been good enough to recommend to me many tradesmen who are ready to supply these articles in any quantities; each of whom has been here already a dozen times, cap in hand, and vowing that it is quite immaterial when I pay—which is very kind of them; […]
- Having or seeming to have very little substance; insubstantial, slight. No, vvhy art thou then exaſperate, thou idle, / immaterial ſkeine of ſleiue ſilke; thou greene ſacenet flap for a ſore eye, thou toſſell of a prodigalls purſe— […]
- Especially of evidence; chiefly followed by to: not associated in any way that is important or useful to the context being discussed; irrelevant. Objection, your Honour! The defendant’s criminal record is immaterial to this case.
noun immaterials
- A being or entity having no matter or substance.
- A thing which is abstract or intangible; (uncountable) chiefly preceded by the: things which are abstract or intangible considered collectively. Lodge immaterials in thy Head: aſcend unto inviſibles: fill thy Spirit vvith Spirituals, vvith the myſteries of Faith, the magnalities of Religion, and thy Life vvith the Honour of God; […]
