Ma·te·ri·al a.
 1. Consisting of matter; not spiritual; corporeal; physical; as, material substance or bodies.
    The material elements of the universe.   --Whewell.
 2. Hence: Pertaining to, or affecting, the physical nature of man, as distinguished from the mental or moral nature; relating to the bodily wants, interests, and comforts; as, material well-being; material comforts.
 3. Of solid or weighty character; not insubstantial; of consequence; not be dispensed with; important; significant.
    Discourse, which was always material, never trifling.   --Evelyn.
    I shall, in the account of simple ideas, set down only such as are most material to our present purpose.   --Locke.
 4. Logic. Pertaining to the matter, as opposed to the form, of a thing. See Matter.
 Material cause. See under Cause.
 Material evidence Law, evidence which conduces to the proof or disproof of a relevant hypothesis. --Wharton.
 Syn: -- Corporeal; bodily; important; weighty; momentous; essential.