dialectical materialism see under material

material /mə-tēˈri-əl/

1. Relating to matter
2. Consisting of matter
3. Being the substance of the thing (Shakespeare)
4. Pithy, matterful (Shakespeare)
5. Corporeal, not spiritual
6. Bodily
7. Physical
8. Gross, lacking spirituality
9. Relating to subject matter
10. Relevant
11. Of serious importance, esp of legal importance
12. Relating to matter as opposed to form (philosophy)

1. That out of which anything is or may be made
2. A fabric
3. That which may be made use of for any purpose
4. A person who is suitable for a specified occupation, training, etc
5. (in pl) equipment, implements, etc needed for a task or activity

matēˈrialism noun

1. The doctrine that denies the independent existence of spirit, and maintains that there is but one substance, matter
2. The explanation of history as the working out of economic conditions
3. Blindness to, or denial of, the spiritual
4. Excessive devotion to bodily wants or financial success

matēˈrialist noun and adjective

materialistˈic or materialistˈical adjective

materialistˈically adverb

materialīzāˈtion or materialīsāˈtion noun

matēˈrialize or matēˈrialise transitive verb

1. To render material
2. To cause to assume bodily form
3. To reduce to or regard as matter
4. To render materialistic

1. To take bodily form
2. To become actual
3. To take shape, develop
4. To turn up, put in an appearance, arrive (informal)

matēˈrially adverb

1. In material manner
2. In respect of matter or material conditions, or material cause
3. In a considerable or important degree

matēˈrialness or materiality /-alˈi-ti/ noun

material alteration noun (law)

A deliberate alteration (of date, amount, etc) to a bill of exchange, etc

material distinction noun

The distinction between individuals of the same species

material evidence noun

Evidence tending to prove or to disprove the matter under judgement

material fact noun

Any fact known to a potential insurant which might influence the provision of an insurance contract and which he or she is therefore obliged to disclose

material fallacy noun (philosophy)

A fallacy in the matter or thought, rather than in the logical form

dialectical materialism

Karl Marx's view of history as a conflict between two opposing forces, thesis and antithesis, which is resolved by the forming of a new force, synthesis, present conditions being due to a class struggle between the capitalists, whose aim is private profit, and the workers, who resist exploitation