matrix
ma.trix \'ma--triks\ \'ma--tr*-.se-z, 'ma-\ \'ma--trik-s*z\ n or ma.tri.ces
or ma.trix.es [L, womb, fr. matr-, mater] pl 1a: the intercellular
substance of a tissue (as cartilage) 1b: the thickened epithelium at the
base of a fingernail or toenail from wh ich new nail substance develops 2:
something within which something else originates or develops 3: the
natural material in which a fossil, metal, gem, crystal, or pebble i s
embedded 4a: a mold from which a relief surface (as a stereotype) is made
by pouring or pressing 4b: DIE 4c: an engraved or inscribed die or stamp
4d: an electroformed impression of a phonograph record used for mass-produc
ing duplicates or the original 5: a rectangular array of mathematical
elements (as the coefficients of sim ultaneous linear equations) that is
subject to special algebraic laws {a ~ combines with numbers and other
matrices}