MATRIX (matrices)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected form: matrices   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does matrix mean? 

• MATRIX (noun)
  The noun MATRIX has 6 senses:

1. (mathematics) a rectangular array of quantities or expressions set out by rows and columns; treated as a single element and manipulated according to rules

2. (geology) a mass of fine-grained rock in which fossils, crystals, or gems are embedded

3. an enclosure within which something originates or develops (from the Latin for womb)

4. the body substance in which tissue cells are embedded

5. the formative tissue at the base of a nail

6. mold used in the production of phonograph records, type, or other relief surface

  Familiarity information: MATRIX used as a noun is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MATRIX (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(mathematics) a rectangular array of quantities or expressions set out by rows and columns; treated as a single element and manipulated according to rules

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Hypernyms ("matrix" is a kind of...):

array (an orderly arrangement)

Domain category:

math; mathematics; maths (a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "matrix"):

correlation matrix (a matrix giving the correlations between all pairs of data sets)

dot matrix (a rectangular matrix of dots from which written characters can be formed)

square matrix (a matrix with the same number of rows and columns)

real matrix (a matrix whose elements are all real numbers)

transpose (a matrix formed by interchanging the rows and columns of a given matrix)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(geology) a mass of fine-grained rock in which fossils, crystals, or gems are embedded

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Hypernyms ("matrix" is a kind of...):

rock; stone (material consisting of the aggregate of minerals like those making up the Earth's crust)

Domain category:

geology (a science that deals with the history of the earth as recorded in rocks)

Sense 3

Meaning:

An enclosure within which something originates or develops (from the Latin for womb)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made)

Hypernyms ("matrix" is a kind of...):

enclosure; natural enclosure (a naturally enclosed space)

Sense 4

Meaning:

The body substance in which tissue cells are embedded

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Synonyms:

ground substance; intercellular substance; matrix

Hypernyms ("matrix" is a kind of...):

body substance (the substance of the body)

Holonyms ("matrix" is a part of...):

bone; os (rigid connective tissue that makes up the skeleton of vertebrates)

connective tissue (tissue of mesodermal origin consisting of e.g. collagen fibroblasts and fatty cells; supports organs and fills spaces between them and forms tendons and ligaments)

cartilage; gristle (tough elastic tissue; mostly converted to bone in adults)

Sense 5

Meaning:

The formative tissue at the base of a nail

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Hypernyms ("matrix" is a kind of...):

animal tissue (the tissue in the bodies of animals)

Holonyms ("matrix" is a part of...):

nail (horny plate covering and protecting part of the dorsal surface of the digits)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Mold used in the production of phonograph records, type, or other relief surface

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("matrix" is a kind of...):

cast; mold; mould (container into which liquid is poured to create a given shape when it hardens)

 Context examples 

This allele, which encodes acrosin-binding protein, plays a role in proacrosin packaging and condensation for the acrosin zymogen in the acrosomal matrix.

(ACRBP wt Allele, NCI Thesaurus)

This allele, which encodes alkaline phosphatase, tissue-nonspecific isozyme protein, may be involved in matrix mineralization.

(ALPL wt Allele, NCI Thesaurus)

That temperature rise, in turn, caused the shape memory polymer matrix to soften and become pliable.

(Tiny magnetic particles enable new material to bend, twist and grab, National Science Foundation)

Current approaches being investigated include the inhibition of angiogenesis stimulants (e.g., VEGF), or their receptors, blockade of endothelial cell activation, inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases, and inhibition of tumor vasculature.

(Angiogenesis Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

This protein may play a role in matrix mineralization.

(Alkaline Phosphatase, Tissue-Nonspecific Isozyme, NCI Thesaurus)

A detectable particle containing phospholipids, protein and calcium found in the mitochondrial matrix.

(Mitochondrial Matrix Granule, NCI Thesaurus)

AKAP95 (A-kinase anchoring protein) is a nuclear matrix associated protein that also binds DNA and different proteins during different phases of the cell cycle.

(AKAP8 in Mitosis Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

ADAMs (A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase Domain) are membrane-anchored proteases that regulate cell behavior by proteolytically modifying the cell surface and extracellular matrix.

(ADAM Family Gene, NCI Thesaurus)

It is a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor and belongs to the family of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors.

(AG3340, NCI Dictionary)

This allele, which encodes ADAM15 protein, is involved in proteolysis that contributes to restructuring of the mesangial matrix.

(ADAM15 wt Allele, NCI Thesaurus)