subject mattern.

Brit.

/ˈsʌbdʒᵻk(t)ˌmatə/,

/ˈsʌbdʒɛk(t)ˌmatə/, U.S.

/ˈsəbdʒək(t)ˌmædər/

Forms: see subject adj. and matter n.¹

Origin: Formed within English, by compounding; modelled on a Latin lexical item. Etymons: subject adj., matter n.¹

Etymology: < subject adj. + matter n.¹, after classical Latin subiecta māteria material on which an orator operates, in post-classical Latin also material out of which a thing is formed (6th cent. in Boethius), itself after ancient Greek ἡ ὑποκειμένη ὕλη (Aristotle: see note). Compare earlier matter subject at subject adj. 9. Compare also Middle French matere subgecte, French matière sujette material that one proposes to deal with in a book or to make the object of study (16th cent.).With Branch I. compare ancient Greek ὑποκειμένη ὕλη in Aristotle Physics 193^a29. With Branch II. compare ancient Greek ὑποκειμένη ὕλη in Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics 1094^b12, 1098^a28.

I. The matter or material of which a (physical) thing is formed.

1. The matter operated upon in an art, a process, etc.; the matter out of which something is formed. Now rare (chiefly as extended use of Branch II.).

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > materials > [noun]

stuffc1440

materialc1475

material1509

graith1513

subject matter1535

metalc1550

staple1598

tew1616

subjected matter1645

materiable1652

matter1680

ingredient1691

vehicle1837

input1893

the world > existence and causation > existence > materiality > [noun] > material

matter1340

substancec1350

subject matter1535

making1623

material1624

substratuma1676

materiality1811

hypostase1867

materiature1881

?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) v. pr. iv. l. 4775 Þe wit comprehendiþ..þe figure of þe body of þe man þat is establissed in þe matere subiect [L. in subjecta materia]. But þe ymaginacioun [comprehendith only the figure with owte the matere].]

1535 W. Marshall tr. Marsilius of Padua Def. of Peace viii. f. 67 The inwarde actes..do not passe out in to an other subiecte matter, or persone, from hym: whiche is the doer and worker of them.

a1542 T. Wyatt Coll. Poems (1969) 103 Thie infinyte marcye want nedes it must Subjecte matter for his operacion.

1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §343 The Excluding of the Aire; And..the Exposing to the Aire..worke the same Effect, according to the Nature of the Subiect Matter.

1662 J. Evelyn Sculptura i. 6 Chalcography..an Art which takes away all that is superfluous of the Subject matter, reducing it to that Forme or Body, which was disign'd in the Idea of the Artist.

1662 H. Hibbert Exercitationes Theologicæ 106 in Syntagma Theologicum The infinite Creator..when he made him [sc. man] implyed by the subject-matter out of which she was made, mans soveraignty over her [sc. woman].

1676 W. Allen Serious & Friendly Addr. Non-conformists 101 The whole body of a Nation who are baptized into the Universal Church..are in that respect subject matter of a Church.

1867 Eng. Leader 15 June 326 In every process whatever..the subject-matter, the hypostase, is not two instants in the same state.

1900 J. T. Driscoll Christian Philos., God x. 203 The apparent absence of any material or subject-matter out of which the works of genius can be formed makes them approximate to the true notion of creation.

1996 G. Hens-Piazza Methods, Monarchs, & Meanings ii. vii. 157 Like a potter's clay, the social data serve as subject matter out of which a story can be formed.

†2. The ground, basis, or source of something. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > causation > basis or foundation > [noun]

ground1340

root1340

substancec1384

fundament1395

foundationc1400

groundment?a1412

footing1440

anvila1450

bottom ground1557

groundwork1557

foot1559

platform1568

subsistence1586

subject matter1600

ground-colour1614

basisa1616

substratum1631

basement1637

bottoma1639

fonda1650

fibre1656

fund1671

fundamen1677

substruction1765

starting ground1802

fundus1839

1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. i. 28 Let us therefore cherish..the subject matter of so great a publicke and private ornament [L. materiem ingentis publice privatimque decoris.]

a1683 J. Owen Disc. Holy Spirit (1693) i. vi. 88 That God abideth in us and we in him is the subject matter of our Assurance.

II. The substance or principal content with which a mental artefact is concerned.

3. The substance of a book, treatise, speech, etc., as distinguished from the form or style; = matter n.¹ 9a. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > topic, subject-matter > materials of topic > [noun] > as opposed to form

matter1340

stuffc1450

substancec1475

subject matter1583

1583 G. Babington Very Fruitfull Expos. Commaundem. sig. ¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ 3 The workemanship and ingrauing of it, is out of the matter it selfe, so that still the grounde, and marble thereof may appeare, and dealt with all in this manner fitlie answering to the subiect matter.

1633 W. Prynne Histrio-mastix i. iii. i. 65 The Stile, and subiect Matter of most Comicall, and Theatricall Enterludes.

1666 R. South Serm. preached at Lambeth-Chappel 3 Any..discourse extrinsick to the Subject Matter and design of the Text.

1752 Earl of Orrery Remarks Swift 181 The subject-matter of these pamphlets may perhaps be little worth your consideration; but their style will always command your attention.

1837 J. G. Lockhart Mem. Life Scott IV. v. 153 Both as to subject-matter and style and method, remote a Scævolæ studiis.

1872 W. Minto Man. Eng. Prose Lit. Introd. 23 Had Campbell not been needlessly anxious to isolate the style from the subject matter.

1873 Student's Handbk. Univ. Oxf. 103 Candidates are expected to be able to translate the Greek text, and to answer questions on the subject-matter.

1927 Amer. Mercury May 12/1 Not only in subject-matter, but in language, style, and make-up, the average pedagogic journal is an eye-sore.

2002 R. Whitlow Sacrifice 174 Students..began working on an assignment that involved reading excerpts from a technical journal and answering detailed questions about the subject matter of the article.

a. That with which thought, deliberation, or discussion, or a contract, undertaking, project, etc., is concerned; that which is treated of or dealt with.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > topic, subject-matter > [noun]

thingeOE

evenOE

questionc1225

purposec1350

themec1380

mattera1387

reasonc1390

substancea1393

chapter1393

occasion1426

titlec1450

intentc1460

article1531

place1532

scope1549

subject1563

argumenta1568

string1583

matter subject1586

subject matter1587

qu.1608

haunt1622

seat1628

object matter1653

business1655

topic1728

locus1753

sub1779

ground1796

1587 J. Bridges Def. Govt. Church of Eng. ix. 704 The fore part of the sentence, in Latine called Subiectum, as the subiect matter, whereon any thing is spoken.

1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 659 Let us make it the subject-matter of our discourse at this present.

1657 O. Cromwell Speech 21 Apr. In considering and debating of those things that were the subject-matter of debate and consideration.

1669 Earl of Clarendon Ess. in Tracts (1727) 176 Let the law prescribe what it will, and the King command what he will, their obedience to either is not the subject-matter of this vow.

1692 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) II. 647 The lords intend to have another conference with the commons on the subject matter of the last.

1740 in J. Hanway Hist. Acct. Brit. Trade Caspian Sea (1753) I. viii. 50 We communicated to them captain elton's project, and have received their opinion..on the subject matter thereof.

1783 E. Burke Rep. Affairs India in Wks. (1842) II. 11 The only subject-matter of discussion, anywise important.

1826 J. Bentham Humphrey's Prop. Code in Westm. Rev. 6 466 If the subject-matter be a fractional right, as a right of mine-working,..mention it accordingly. If subject-matters more than one are included in the deed, mention them accordingly.

1850 J. H. Newman Lect. Diffic. Anglicans (1891) I. i. x. 304 A series of victories over human nature, which is the subject-matter of her [the Church's] operations.

1865 J. B. Mozley 8 Lect. Miracles v. 135 The individual uses the totally distinct principles of faith and reason according to the subject matter before him.

1875 H. E. Manning Internal Mission of Holy Ghost xii. 330 There is a difference between the subject-matter of prudence and the subject-matter of counsel.

1875 K. E. Digby Introd. Hist. Law Real Prop. viii. 300 A witness who had any interest in the subject-matter of his testimony was therefore not a credible witness at all.

1884 B. Bosanquet et al. tr. H. Lotze Metaphysic 532 Those defects of memory that occur with regard to a certain definite subject-matter of our ideas; e.g. the forgetting of proper names.

1925 D. W. Douglas Guillame De Greef viii. 127 The subject matter of Quetelet's observations, says De Greef, is man, not institutions.

2001 J. T. Roberts in D. McCann & B. S. Strauss War & Democracy iv. xii. 238 The subject matter before us.., the Peloponnesian and Korean wars, affords a rich opportunity to explore how two societies dealt with the paradoxes that inhere in democratic leadership.

b. That with which a science, law, etc., deals; the body of facts or ideas with which a study is concerned; = matter n.¹ 12.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > topic, subject-matter > materials of topic > [noun] > of particular subject

subjecta1400

subject?1541

tractate1589

subject matter1591

territory1640

donnée1876

1591 R. Cosin Apol. for Sundrie Proc. 235 The subiect matter of their profession..is spirituall.

1660 Bp. J. Taylor Ductor Dubitantium II. iii. vi. Rule 3 §3 Some laws have in them a natural rectitude or usefulnesse in order to moral ends, by reason of the subject matter of the law.

1765 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. I. Introd. 60 As to the subject matter, words are always to be understood as having a regard thereto.

1818 W. Hazlitt Lect. Eng. Poets i. 1 In treating of poetry, I shall speak first of the subject-matter of it.

1864 F. C. Bowen Treat. Logic xiii. 440 The subject-matter of calculations in the Theory of Probabilities is quantity of belief.

1874 A. H. Sayce Princ. Compar. Philol. i. 52 Articulate speech itself, the subject matter of philology.

1895 Educat. Rev. Sept. 117 Those studies whose subject-matter is the direct product of intelligence.

1920 A. G. Tansley New Psychol. i. 9 Not very many years ago the subject-matter of psychology was almost entirely limited to what is called the ‘content of consciousness’.

2001 R. W. Cahn Coming of Materials Sci. ii. 26 Servos gives a beautifully clear explanation of the subject-matter of physical chemistry, as Ostwald pursued it.

c. Law. The matter in dispute.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > action of courts in claims or grievances > [noun] > matter or point in question

matterc1390

issue1429

matter1728

subject matter1768

1768 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. III. 116 This may..be effected by a specific delivery or restoration of the subject-matter in dispute to the legal owner.

1839 House of Lords 15 July 178 How far any Right or Interest which can by Possibility vest in the Co-heir pending the Abeyancy is capable by Law of being the Subject Matter of Forfeiture.

1849 R. Cobden Speeches 19 Each should be bound to submit the subject-matter of dispute to arbitration.

1888 Weekly Notes 22 Dec. 246/2 Because the parties had agreed to divide the subject matter of the litigation amongst themselves in a manner not in accordance with their actual title.

1920 Pacific Reporter 190 803/2 An interest of plaintiff in interpleader to defeat the relief therein prayed for, must be in the very thing or fund itself, which is the subject-matter of the controversy.

2008 S. Davis Corwin & Peltason's Understanding Constit. ii. vi. 220 Either the subject-matter of a suit or the nature of the parties involved can give the federal courts jurisdiction.

5. The subject or theme of a written or spoken composition; a topic; = matter n.¹ 8. Now chiefly merged in sense 4a.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > topic, subject-matter > materials of topic > [noun] > of discourse

matterc1330

lessona1375

contenu1477

content1509

thema1531

commonplace1549

subject matter1598

text1608

clue1656

1598 R. Bernard tr. Terence Andria Prol., in Terence in Eng. 4 [Menander's Andria and Perinthia] albeit they differ little in the subiect matter: yet notwithstanding they are vnlike in composition.

1649 F. Roberts Clavis Bibliorum (ed. 2) Introd. to Rdr. iii. 43 A summary Recapitulation..of the chief aime and subject-matter of every book.

1699 M. Lister Journey to Paris (new ed.) 107 [A catalogue] is disposed according to the Subject Matter of the Books, as the Bibles and Expositors, Historians, Philosophers, &c.

1751 C. Labelye Descr. Westm. Bridge 105 The Number of Plates proper to illustrate the Subject-matter of each Volume.

1844 A. W. Kinglake Eothen iii. 49 The subject matters are slowly, and patiently enumerated, without disclosing the purpose of the speaker until he reaches the end of his sentence.

1877 J. D. Chambers Divine Worship Eng. 377 The subject matter being proper for the Sermon.

1944 Music & Lett. 25 205 We do have the feeling that the music is oddly detached from the subject-matter of the songs.

2007 J. Wintle Perfect Hostage iv. xxiii. 377 Whether her subject matter is rain, babies, children, visiting friends, festivals or the price of an egg, [etc.].

6. Material for discourse or expression in language; facts or ideas as constituting material for speech or written composition, or for artistic representation; = matter n.¹ 10a.

ΚΠ

1616 P. Hay Vision Balaams Asse 206 When the vertues and commendation [of music] are made the subiect matter of prosaicall discourse..it will haue its wonted operation.

1702 W. J. tr. C. de Bruyn Voy. Levant v. 12 The Rocks of Scylla and Charybdis, which afforded so much subject Matter to the ancient Poets.

1759 W. H. Dilworth Life of Pope 116 Subject-matter for his satyrical muse, he never wanted.

1854 tr. H. Hettner Athens & Peloponnese 89 The Persian wars, which..supplied subject-matter for the frieze of the Temple of Niké Apteros.

1875 M. Arnold Ess. Crit. (ed. 3) i. 43 The subject-matter which literary criticism should most seek.

1893 G. Moore Mod. Painting 22 What..has this painter invented, what new subject matter has he introduced into art?

1921 Classical Weekly 31 Jan. 108/2 One of the two poems in which Browning makes direct use of Latin material as subject-matter is Pan and Luna.

1990 Illustr. London News Christmas No. 44/1 Louis Wain..was known as ‘the man who drew cats’, for although they did not form exclusively the subject matter of his art, they dominated it.

2002 R. J. Richards Romantic Conception Life ii. 110 Greek poetry..grew out of and took as subject matter ancient mythology.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2012; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	subject matter
释义	subject mattern. Brit. /ˈsʌbdʒᵻk(t)ˌmatə/, /ˈsʌbdʒɛk(t)ˌmatə/, U.S. /ˈsəbdʒək(t)ˌmædər/ Forms: see subject adj. and matter n.¹ Origin: Formed within English, by compounding; modelled on a Latin lexical item. Etymons: subject adj., matter n.¹ Etymology: < subject adj. + matter n.¹, after classical Latin subiecta māteria material on which an orator operates, in post-classical Latin also material out of which a thing is formed (6th cent. in Boethius), itself after ancient Greek ἡ ὑποκειμένη ὕλη (Aristotle: see note). Compare earlier matter subject at subject adj. 9. Compare also Middle French matere subgecte, French matière sujette material that one proposes to deal with in a book or to make the object of study (16th cent.).With Branch I. compare ancient Greek ὑποκειμένη ὕλη in Aristotle Physics 193^a29. With Branch II. compare ancient Greek ὑποκειμένη ὕλη in Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics 1094^b12, 1098^a28. I. The matter or material of which a (physical) thing is formed. 1. The matter operated upon in an art, a process, etc.; the matter out of which something is formed. Now rare (chiefly as extended use of Branch II.). ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > materials > [noun] stuffc1440 materialc1475 material1509 graith1513 subject matter1535 metalc1550 staple1598 tew1616 subjected matter1645 materiable1652 matter1680 ingredient1691 vehicle1837 input1893 the world > existence and causation > existence > materiality > [noun] > material matter1340 substancec1350 subject matter1535 making1623 material1624 substratuma1676 materiality1811 hypostase1867 materiature1881 ?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) v. pr. iv. l. 4775 Þe wit comprehendiþ..þe figure of þe body of þe man þat is establissed in þe matere subiect [L. in subjecta materia]. But þe ymaginacioun [comprehendith only the figure with owte the matere].] 1535 W. Marshall tr. Marsilius of Padua Def. of Peace viii. f. 67 The inwarde actes..do not passe out in to an other subiecte matter, or persone, from hym: whiche is the doer and worker of them. a1542 T. Wyatt Coll. Poems (1969) 103 Thie infinyte marcye want nedes it must Subjecte matter for his operacion. 1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §343 The Excluding of the Aire; And..the Exposing to the Aire..worke the same Effect, according to the Nature of the Subiect Matter. 1662 J. Evelyn Sculptura i. 6 Chalcography..an Art which takes away all that is superfluous of the Subject matter, reducing it to that Forme or Body, which was disign'd in the Idea of the Artist. 1662 H. Hibbert Exercitationes Theologicæ 106 in Syntagma Theologicum The infinite Creator..when he made him [sc. man] implyed by the subject-matter out of which she was made, mans soveraignty over her [sc. woman]. 1676 W. Allen Serious & Friendly Addr. Non-conformists 101 The whole body of a Nation who are baptized into the Universal Church..are in that respect subject matter of a Church. 1867 Eng. Leader 15 June 326 In every process whatever..the subject-matter, the hypostase, is not two instants in the same state. 1900 J. T. Driscoll Christian Philos., God x. 203 The apparent absence of any material or subject-matter out of which the works of genius can be formed makes them approximate to the true notion of creation. 1996 G. Hens-Piazza Methods, Monarchs, & Meanings ii. vii. 157 Like a potter's clay, the social data serve as subject matter out of which a story can be formed. †2. The ground, basis, or source of something. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > causation > basis or foundation > [noun] ground1340 root1340 substancec1384 fundament1395 foundationc1400 groundment?a1412 footing1440 anvila1450 bottom ground1557 groundwork1557 foot1559 platform1568 subsistence1586 subject matter1600 ground-colour1614 basisa1616 substratum1631 basement1637 bottoma1639 fonda1650 fibre1656 fund1671 fundamen1677 substruction1765 starting ground1802 fundus1839 1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. i. 28 Let us therefore cherish..the subject matter of so great a publicke and private ornament [L. materiem ingentis publice privatimque decoris.] a1683 J. Owen Disc. Holy Spirit (1693) i. vi. 88 That God abideth in us and we in him is the subject matter of our Assurance. II. The substance or principal content with which a mental artefact is concerned. 3. The substance of a book, treatise, speech, etc., as distinguished from the form or style; = matter n.¹ 9a. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > topic, subject-matter > materials of topic > [noun] > as opposed to form matter1340 stuffc1450 substancec1475 subject matter1583 1583 G. Babington Very Fruitfull Expos. Commaundem. sig. ¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ 3 The workemanship and ingrauing of it, is out of the matter it selfe, so that still the grounde, and marble thereof may appeare, and dealt with all in this manner fitlie answering to the subiect matter. 1633 W. Prynne Histrio-mastix i. iii. i. 65 The Stile, and subiect Matter of most Comicall, and Theatricall Enterludes. 1666 R. South Serm. preached at Lambeth-Chappel 3 Any..discourse extrinsick to the Subject Matter and design of the Text. 1752 Earl of Orrery Remarks Swift 181 The subject-matter of these pamphlets may perhaps be little worth your consideration; but their style will always command your attention. 1837 J. G. Lockhart Mem. Life Scott IV. v. 153 Both as to subject-matter and style and method, remote a Scævolæ studiis. 1872 W. Minto Man. Eng. Prose Lit. Introd. 23 Had Campbell not been needlessly anxious to isolate the style from the subject matter. 1873 Student's Handbk. Univ. Oxf. 103 Candidates are expected to be able to translate the Greek text, and to answer questions on the subject-matter. 1927 Amer. Mercury May 12/1 Not only in subject-matter, but in language, style, and make-up, the average pedagogic journal is an eye-sore. 2002 R. Whitlow Sacrifice 174 Students..began working on an assignment that involved reading excerpts from a technical journal and answering detailed questions about the subject matter of the article. 4. a. That with which thought, deliberation, or discussion, or a contract, undertaking, project, etc., is concerned; that which is treated of or dealt with. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > topic, subject-matter > [noun] thingeOE evenOE questionc1225 purposec1350 themec1380 mattera1387 reasonc1390 substancea1393 chapter1393 occasion1426 titlec1450 intentc1460 article1531 place1532 scope1549 subject1563 argumenta1568 string1583 matter subject1586 subject matter1587 qu.1608 haunt1622 seat1628 object matter1653 business1655 topic1728 locus1753 sub1779 ground1796 1587 J. Bridges Def. Govt. Church of Eng. ix. 704 The fore part of the sentence, in Latine called Subiectum, as the subiect matter, whereon any thing is spoken. 1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 659 Let us make it the subject-matter of our discourse at this present. 1657 O. Cromwell Speech 21 Apr. In considering and debating of those things that were the subject-matter of debate and consideration. 1669 Earl of Clarendon Ess. in Tracts (1727) 176 Let the law prescribe what it will, and the King command what he will, their obedience to either is not the subject-matter of this vow. 1692 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) II. 647 The lords intend to have another conference with the commons on the subject matter of the last. 1740 in J. Hanway Hist. Acct. Brit. Trade Caspian Sea (1753) I. viii. 50 We communicated to them captain elton's project, and have received their opinion..on the subject matter thereof. 1783 E. Burke Rep. Affairs India in Wks. (1842) II. 11 The only subject-matter of discussion, anywise important. 1826 J. Bentham Humphrey's Prop. Code in Westm. Rev. 6 466 If the subject-matter be a fractional right, as a right of mine-working,..mention it accordingly. If subject-matters more than one are included in the deed, mention them accordingly. 1850 J. H. Newman Lect. Diffic. Anglicans (1891) I. i. x. 304 A series of victories over human nature, which is the subject-matter of her [the Church's] operations. 1865 J. B. Mozley 8 Lect. Miracles v. 135 The individual uses the totally distinct principles of faith and reason according to the subject matter before him. 1875 H. E. Manning Internal Mission of Holy Ghost xii. 330 There is a difference between the subject-matter of prudence and the subject-matter of counsel. 1875 K. E. Digby Introd. Hist. Law Real Prop. viii. 300 A witness who had any interest in the subject-matter of his testimony was therefore not a credible witness at all. 1884 B. Bosanquet et al. tr. H. Lotze Metaphysic 532 Those defects of memory that occur with regard to a certain definite subject-matter of our ideas; e.g. the forgetting of proper names. 1925 D. W. Douglas Guillame De Greef viii. 127 The subject matter of Quetelet's observations, says De Greef, is man, not institutions. 2001 J. T. Roberts in D. McCann & B. S. Strauss War & Democracy iv. xii. 238 The subject matter before us.., the Peloponnesian and Korean wars, affords a rich opportunity to explore how two societies dealt with the paradoxes that inhere in democratic leadership. b. That with which a science, law, etc., deals; the body of facts or ideas with which a study is concerned; = matter n.¹ 12. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > topic, subject-matter > materials of topic > [noun] > of particular subject subjecta1400 subject?1541 tractate1589 subject matter1591 territory1640 donnée1876 1591 R. Cosin Apol. for Sundrie Proc. 235 The subiect matter of their profession..is spirituall. 1660 Bp. J. Taylor Ductor Dubitantium II. iii. vi. Rule 3 §3 Some laws have in them a natural rectitude or usefulnesse in order to moral ends, by reason of the subject matter of the law. 1765 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. I. Introd. 60 As to the subject matter, words are always to be understood as having a regard thereto. 1818 W. Hazlitt Lect. Eng. Poets i. 1 In treating of poetry, I shall speak first of the subject-matter of it. 1864 F. C. Bowen Treat. Logic xiii. 440 The subject-matter of calculations in the Theory of Probabilities is quantity of belief. 1874 A. H. Sayce Princ. Compar. Philol. i. 52 Articulate speech itself, the subject matter of philology. 1895 Educat. Rev. Sept. 117 Those studies whose subject-matter is the direct product of intelligence. 1920 A. G. Tansley New Psychol. i. 9 Not very many years ago the subject-matter of psychology was almost entirely limited to what is called the ‘content of consciousness’. 2001 R. W. Cahn Coming of Materials Sci. ii. 26 Servos gives a beautifully clear explanation of the subject-matter of physical chemistry, as Ostwald pursued it. c. Law. The matter in dispute. ΘΚΠ society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > action of courts in claims or grievances > [noun] > matter or point in question matterc1390 issue1429 matter1728 subject matter1768 1768 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. III. 116 This may..be effected by a specific delivery or restoration of the subject-matter in dispute to the legal owner. 1839 House of Lords 15 July 178 How far any Right or Interest which can by Possibility vest in the Co-heir pending the Abeyancy is capable by Law of being the Subject Matter of Forfeiture. 1849 R. Cobden Speeches 19 Each should be bound to submit the subject-matter of dispute to arbitration. 1888 Weekly Notes 22 Dec. 246/2 Because the parties had agreed to divide the subject matter of the litigation amongst themselves in a manner not in accordance with their actual title. 1920 Pacific Reporter 190 803/2 An interest of plaintiff in interpleader to defeat the relief therein prayed for, must be in the very thing or fund itself, which is the subject-matter of the controversy. 2008 S. Davis Corwin & Peltason's Understanding Constit. ii. vi. 220 Either the subject-matter of a suit or the nature of the parties involved can give the federal courts jurisdiction. 5. The subject or theme of a written or spoken composition; a topic; = matter n.¹ 8. Now chiefly merged in sense 4a. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > topic, subject-matter > materials of topic > [noun] > of discourse matterc1330 lessona1375 contenu1477 content1509 thema1531 commonplace1549 subject matter1598 text1608 clue1656 1598 R. Bernard tr. Terence Andria Prol., in Terence in Eng. 4 [Menander's Andria and Perinthia] albeit they differ little in the subiect matter: yet notwithstanding they are vnlike in composition. 1649 F. Roberts Clavis Bibliorum (ed. 2) Introd. to Rdr. iii. 43 A summary Recapitulation..of the chief aime and subject-matter of every book. 1699 M. Lister Journey to Paris (new ed.) 107 [A catalogue] is disposed according to the Subject Matter of the Books, as the Bibles and Expositors, Historians, Philosophers, &c. 1751 C. Labelye Descr. Westm. Bridge 105 The Number of Plates proper to illustrate the Subject-matter of each Volume. 1844 A. W. Kinglake Eothen iii. 49 The subject matters are slowly, and patiently enumerated, without disclosing the purpose of the speaker until he reaches the end of his sentence. 1877 J. D. Chambers Divine Worship Eng. 377 The subject matter being proper for the Sermon. 1944 Music & Lett. 25 205 We do have the feeling that the music is oddly detached from the subject-matter of the songs. 2007 J. Wintle Perfect Hostage iv. xxiii. 377 Whether her subject matter is rain, babies, children, visiting friends, festivals or the price of an egg, [etc.]. 6. Material for discourse or expression in language; facts or ideas as constituting material for speech or written composition, or for artistic representation; = matter n.¹ 10a. ΚΠ 1616 P. Hay Vision Balaams Asse 206 When the vertues and commendation [of music] are made the subiect matter of prosaicall discourse..it will haue its wonted operation. 1702 W. J. tr. C. de Bruyn Voy. Levant v. 12 The Rocks of Scylla and Charybdis, which afforded so much subject Matter to the ancient Poets. 1759 W. H. Dilworth Life of Pope 116 Subject-matter for his satyrical muse, he never wanted. 1854 tr. H. Hettner Athens & Peloponnese 89 The Persian wars, which..supplied subject-matter for the frieze of the Temple of Niké Apteros. 1875 M. Arnold Ess. Crit. (ed. 3) i. 43 The subject-matter which literary criticism should most seek. 1893 G. Moore Mod. Painting 22 What..has this painter invented, what new subject matter has he introduced into art? 1921 Classical Weekly 31 Jan. 108/2 One of the two poems in which Browning makes direct use of Latin material as subject-matter is Pan and Luna. 1990 Illustr. London News Christmas No. 44/1 Louis Wain..was known as ‘the man who drew cats’, for although they did not form exclusively the subject matter of his art, they dominated it. 2002 R. J. Richards Romantic Conception Life ii. 110 Greek poetry..grew out of and took as subject matter ancient mythology. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2012; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < n.1535
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