matrix
/ˈmeɪtrɪks/noun
(pl. matrices /-siːz/或matrixes)
1
- an environment or material in which something develops; a surrounding medium or structure母体; 基体, 发源地：
Oxbridge was the matrix of the ideology.
牛津和剑桥是思想意识的发源地。
1.1
- a mass of fine-grained rock in which gems, crystals, or fossils are embedded基岩, 母岩。
1.2
- Biology the substance between cells or in which structures are embedded【生】细胞间质, 基质。
1.3
- fine material精细材料：
the matrix of gravel paths is hoed regularly.
砂石路面的碎料被定期翻整。
2
- a mould in which something, such as a gramophone record or printing type, is cast or shaped模板; 唱片母版; 字模。
3
- Mathematics a rectangular array of quantities or expressions in rows and columns that is treated as a single entity and manipulated according to particular rules【数】矩, 矩阵。
3.1
- a grid-like array of elements, especially of data items; a lattice数组; 点阵。
3.2
- an organizational structure in which two or more lines of command, responsibility, or communication may run through the same individual交叉结构。
词源
late Middle English (in the sense womb)： from Latin, 'breeding female', later 'womb', from mater, matr- 'mother'.