material cause

noun

, Aristotelianism.

1. cause8b

Word History and Origins

Origin of material cause¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

So far as we can see, the material cause was exactly the same in each case—the reading of certain letters.

From Project Gutenberg

The epidemic recorded by Knighton had probably a more material cause.

From Project Gutenberg

The rhythm, regarded in its material cause, need not be accompanied by any very musical sound.

From Project Gutenberg

For example, in the making of a bronze statue of Hermes, the bronze is the material cause of the statue.

From Project Gutenberg

But the point is that they all recognized the necessity for a material cause of some sort to explain the universe.

From Project Gutenberg