Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Material \Ma*te"ri*al\, a. [L. materialis, fr. materia stuff,
   matter: cf. F. mat['e]riel. See {Matter}, and cf.
   {Mat['E]riel}.]
   1. Consisting of matter; not spiritual; corporeal; physical;
      as, material substance or bodies.

            The material elements of the universe. --Whewell.

   2. Hence: Pertaining to, or affecting, the physical nature of
      man, as distinguished from the mental or moral nature;
      relating to the bodily wants, interests, and comforts.

   3. Of solid or weighty character; not insubstantial; of
      cinsequence; not be dispensed with; important.

            Discourse, which was always material, never
            trifling.                             --Evelyn.

            I shall, in the account of simple ideas, set down
            only such as are most material to our present
            purpose.                              --Locke.

   4. (Logic.) Pertaining to the matter, as opposed to the form,
      of a thing. See {Matter}.

   {Material cause}. See under {Cause}.

   {Material evidence} (Law), evidence which conduces to the
      proof or disproof of a relevant hypothesis. --Wharton.

   Syn: Corporeal; bodily; important; weighty; momentous;
        essential.