nonmaterial
UK[ˌnɒnməˈtɪəriəl]US[ˌnɑːnməˈtɪriəl]
adj
Not consisting of physical matter; spiritual, intellectual, or abstract rather than physical.
adj
Not important or relevant; insignificant.
Morpheme Breakdown
non
material
non
not
material
physical substance
Etymology
The word 'nonmaterial' is a modern English compound formed by directly combining the negative prefix 'non-' with the adjective 'material.' The prefix 'non-' originates from Latin non, meaning "not," a strengthened form of the Proto-Indo-European negative particle ne-. The root 'material' descends from Latin materia (matter, substance), which itself likely derives from mater (mother), metaphorically extended to mean the source or substance from which something is made. Thus, the literal construction "not material" logically evolved to describe anything lacking physical substance, encompassing abstract concepts like thoughts, values, or spiritual beliefs, as well as things considered unimportant.
Analysis
Structure: non (not) + material (physical substance)
- non: A prefix of Latin origin, meaning "not." It functions as a negative or privative particle.
- material: From Latin materia, meaning "matter, substance, timber." It functions as the root noun denoting physical stuff.
Examples
The study focuses on the nonmaterial aspects of culture, such as beliefs and values.
His concerns were largely nonmaterial, revolving around reputation rather than financial loss.
She argued that happiness stems from nonmaterial wealth.