Fabric vs. Material

(archaic) Structure, building.

(archaic) The act of constructing, construction, fabrication.

(archaic) The structure of anything, the manner in which the parts of a thing are united; workmanship, texture, make.

Example: ‘cloth of a beautiful fabric’;

The framework underlying a structure.

Example: ‘the fabric of our lives’; ‘the fabric of the universe’;

A material made of fibers, a textile or cloth.

Example: ‘cotton fabric’;

(petrology) The appearance of crystalline grains in a rock.

(computing) Interconnected nodes that look like a textile fabric when diagrammed.

Example: ‘The Internet is a fabric of computers connected by routers.’;

The structure of anything; the manner in which the parts of a thing are united; workmanship; texture; make; as cloth of a beautiful fabric.

That which is fabricated

Example: ‘Anon out of the earth a fabric hugeRose like an exhalation.’;

Cloth of any kind that is woven or knit from fibers, whether vegetable, animal, or synthetic; manufactured cloth; as, silks or other fabrics; made of a fabric that is 50% cotton and 50% polyester.

The act of constructing; construction.

Example: ‘Tithe was received by the bishop, . . . for the fabric of the churches for the poor.’;

Any system or structure consisting of connected parts; as, the fabric of the universe.

Example: ‘The whole vast fabric of society.’;

To frame; to build; to construct.

artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers;

Example: ‘the fabric in the curtains was light and semitraqnsparent’; ‘woven cloth originated in Mesopotamia around 5000 BC’; ‘she measured off enough material for a dress’;

the underlying structure;

Example: ‘restoring the framework of the bombed building’; ‘it is part of the fabric of society’;

Having to do with matter; consisting of matter.

Example: ‘This compound has a number of interesting material properties.’;

Worldly, as opposed to spiritual.

Example: ‘Don't let material concerns get in the way of living a happy life.’;

Significant.

Example: ‘You've made several material contributions to this project.’; ‘This is the most material fact in this lawsuit.’;

Matter which may be shaped or manipulated, particularly in making something.

Example: ‘Asphalt, composed of oil and sand, is a widely used material for roads.’;

Text written for a specific purpose.

Example: ‘We were a warm-up act at the time; we didn't have enough original material to headline.’;

A sample or specimens for study.

Cloth to be made into a garment.

Example: ‘You'll need about a yard of material to make this.’;

The people collectively who are qualified for a certain position or activity.

Example: ‘John Doe is a great governor, and I also believe he is presidential material.’; ‘He is not the only one. I believe we have lots of presidential material in various public offices.’;

Related data of various kinds, especially if collected as the basis for a document or book.

The substance that something is made or composed of.

To form from matter; to materialize.

Consisting of matter; not spiritual; corporeal; physical; as, material substance or bodies.

Example: ‘The material elements of the universe.’;

Pertaining to, or affecting, the physical nature of man, as distinguished from the mental or moral nature; relating to the bodily wants, interests, and comforts; as, material well-being; material comforts.

Of solid or weighty character; not insubstantial; of consequence; not be dispensed with; important; significant.

Example: ‘Discourse, which was always material, never trifling.’; ‘I shall, in the account of simple ideas, set down only such as are most material to our present purpose.’;

Pertaining to the matter, as opposed to the form, of a thing. See Matter.

The substance or matter of which anything is made or may be made.

To form from matter; to materialize.

the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object;

Example: ‘coal is a hard black material’; ‘wheat is the stuff they use to make bread’;

information (data or ideas or observations) that can be used or reworked into a finished form;

Example: ‘the archives provided rich material for a definitive biography’;

things needed for doing or making something;

Example: ‘writing materials’; ‘useful teaching materials’;

artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers;

Example: ‘the fabric in the curtains was light and semitraqnsparent’; ‘woven cloth originated in Mesopotamia around 5000 BC’; ‘she measured off enough material for a dress’;

a person judged suitable for admission or employment;

Example: ‘he was university material’; ‘she was vice-presidential material’;

concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests;

Example: ‘material possessions’; ‘material wealth’; ‘material comforts’;

derived from or composed of matter;

Example: ‘the material universe’;

directly relevant to a matter especially a law case;

Example: ‘his support made a material difference’; ‘evidence material to the issue at hand’; ‘facts likely to influence the judgment are called material facts’; ‘a material witness’;

concerned with or affecting physical as distinct from intellectual or psychological well-being;

Example: ‘material needs’; ‘the moral and material welfare of all good citizens’;

having material or physical form or substance;

Example: ‘that which is created is of necessity corporeal and visible and tangible’;

having substance or capable of being treated as fact; not imaginary;

Example: ‘the substantial world’; ‘a mere dream, neither substantial nor practical’; ‘most ponderous and substantial things’;

A material is a substance or mixture of substances that constitutes an object. Materials can be pure or impure, living or non-living matter.