MATERIAL, MATERIALS Copy link • MATERIAL, MATERIALSs. PROP., (for building), materia (general term): capiae (for building): saxa et materia et cetera aedificanti utilia (for building): to furnish materials for building, materiari (Caes., B.G., 7, 73): old materials worked up again, rediviva, plur. A house built of bad materials, aedes male materiatae. Figuratively, materia (of single points, to be worked up in a treatise, etc.): res (general term, things; opposed to verba): silva rerum (figuratively, a mass of notes, Cic., De Or., 3, 26, 103): commentarii (memoirs, historical materials): to collect materials, silvam rerum comparare: to leave behind materials for a treatise, etc., in commentariis aliquid relinquere (Cic.).