material (subs.) Copy link Outline I. The substance out of which something is madeII. Fig. • material (subs.): I. The substance out of which something is made: mātĕria or mātĕries, ēi: Cic. N. D. 3, 39, 92: Vitr.: Ov. (N.B.--Esp. used of wood for building: v. timber.) Phr.: writing m.s, instrumentum scriptorium (v. implement): building m.s, *omnia quae sunt utilia ad aedificandum; saxa et caementa ceteraque ad aedificia (cf. Vitr. 2, 7, init.): also, copiae quae aptae sunt aedificiorum perfectionibus (a more elaborate phr.), id. 2, 1, 9: suitable m.s for building, aptae ad aedificia copiae, cf. id. 2, 2, extr.: old m.s used up again, redivivus lapis, redivivum rudus, etc.: Vitr.: 7, 1, 3: Cic. II. Fig.: matter to be worked up by an author: silva (Gk. ὕλη), mātĕria, -es: v. matter (II.).