Matrix

mā′triks, or mat′riks, n. ( an at. ) the cavity in which an animal is formed before its birth, the womb: the cavity in which anything is formed, a mould: ( mining ) earthy or stony substances in which minerals are found embedded: ( dyeing ) the five simple colours (black, white, blue, red, and yellow) from which all the others are formed: ( math. ) a rectangular array of quantities, usually square—a multiple quantity having as many dimensions as it has spaces:— pl. Matrices (mā′tri-sez or mat′ri-sez). [L. matrix , -icis — mater , mother.]