material evidence

Material \Ma*te"ri*al\, a. [L. materialis, fr. materia stuff,
   matter: cf. F. mat['e]riel. See {Matter}, and cf.
   {Mat['e]riel}.]
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   1. Consisting of matter; not spiritual; corporeal; physical;
      as, material substance or bodies.
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            The material elements of the universe. --Whewell.
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   2. Hence: 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.
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   3. Of solid or weighty character; not insubstantial; of
      consequence; not be dispensed with; important;
      significant.
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            Discourse, which was always material, never
            trifling.                             --Evelyn.
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            I shall, in the account of simple ideas, set down
            only such as are most material to our present
            purpose.                              --Locke.
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   4. (Logic.) Pertaining to the matter, as opposed to the form,
      of a thing. See {Matter}.
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   {Material cause}. See under {Cause}.

   {Material evidence} (Law), evidence which conduces to the
      proof or disproof of a relevant hypothesis. --Wharton.
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   Syn: Corporeal; bodily; important; weighty; momentous;
        essential.
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