(alchemy) The primitive formless base of all matter, which is the starting material required for the magnum opus and the creation of the philosopher's stone.

(medicine, archaic or historical) Synonym of pharmacology, particularly its development in early modern Europe.

(medicine, archaic or historical) Synonym of medicine: the substances so used, particularly traditional cures prepared from animals and plants such as herbal medicines but inclusive of early drugs.

(historical) An ethereal substance once believed to fill spaces emptied of air (i.e. any vacuum) and to be capable of passing through solid objects.

Dealing with the same matter or subject. / (law) A canon of construction holding that the meaning of an ambiguous law can be determined in light of other statutes on the same subject matter.

(logic) An implication as defined in classical propositional logic, leading to the truth of paradoxes of material implication such as Q⊢P→Q, to be read as "any proposition whatsoever is a sufficient condition for a true proposition".

Essential components of a device, reaction, etc. / A radioactive material

The amplification and distortion of small sounds for use in experimental noise music.

plural of material breach

A textile of silk and wool, soft and flexible, usually with oriental designs, used for women's dresses.