[ˈmatə], (Noun)

Definitions:
- physical substance in general, as distinct from mind and spirit; (in physics) that which occupies space and possesses rest mass, especially as distinct from energy
(e.g: the structure and properties of matter)

- a subject or situation under consideration
(e.g: a great deal of work was done on this matter)

- the reason for distress or a problem
(e.g: what's the matter?)

- the substance or content of a text as distinct from its style or form


Phrases:
- a matter of
- a matter of course
- a matter of form
- for that matter
- in the matter of
- it is only a matter of time
- no matter
- to make matters worse
- what matter?

Origin:
Middle English: via Old French from Latin materia ‘timber, substance’, also ‘subject of discourse’, from mater ‘mother’

[ˈmatə], (Verb)

Definitions:
- be important or significant
(e.g: it doesn't matter what the guests wear)

- (of a wound) secrete or discharge pus


Phrases:
- a matter of
- a matter of course
- a matter of form
- for that matter
- in the matter of
- it is only a matter of time
- no matter
- to make matters worse
- what matter?

Origin:
Middle English: via Old French from Latin materia ‘timber, substance’, also ‘subject of discourse’, from mater ‘mother’