French word

matrice

Pronunciation

IPA/matʁis/

Meaning

  • feminine nounmold

Example

La pièce sort de la matrice.

The part comes out of the mold.

Illustration for matrice (mold)

More examples

Le bébé se développe dans la matrice.

The baby develops in the womb.

Core concept

A mold-like structure that channels material, thought, or development into an ordered form.

Common phrases

  • dans la matrice

    in the womb

Similar words

structure: The way elements are placed and connected to form a whole.
organisation: An organized arrangement that gives elements order and structure.
système: An interconnected whole whose elements operate according to roles and rules.

Definition in French

Cadre ou modèle abstrait qui détermine la forme ou le développement d'un phénomène ; en technique, moule ; en mathématiques, tableau de nombres.

Word origin

Matrice derives from Latin matrix, the feminine form related to mater, and French extended the idea of a source into technical, abstract, and mathematical uses.

Usage tips

  • French matrice is pronounced roughly mah-TREESS, with a final sound like the s in English peace rather than the English pronunciation of matrix.

Other meanings

  • matrixnoun

Related words

  • matriculeregistration numbernoun

Word lists with this word