Materia
/məˈtɪəriə/noun
Substance or material, especially as used in the phrase “materia medica” or in philosophical and alchemical contexts.
Did you know?In alchemy, prima materia—“first matter”—was the hypothetical formless substance believed capable of becoming all other substances, including the philosopher’s stone.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*méh₂tēr
“Mother; the female parent”
Ancient Latin
Latin
māter
“Mother; a source or origin”
Classical Latin
Latin
māteria
“Timber or wood, then material or substance—literally something derived from a “mother” source”
Medieval Latin
Latin
materia prima
“First matter; the primordial substance of philosophical and alchemical speculation”
16th Century
English
materia medica
“The body of medicinal substances and remedies”
Modern English
English
materia
“Substance or material, especially in medical, philosophical, or occult terminology”