Matrix

See also: matrix and mátrix

English

Alternative forms

• matrix

Etymology

From the 1984 novel Neuromancer and popularized in the 1999 movie The Matrix. See matrix for further etymology.

Proper noun

the Matrix

1. (science fiction) A simulated reality to which many humans are connected. In some works created by sentient machines to subdue humans.
   • 1984, William Gibson, chapter 3, in Neuromancer (Sprawl; book 1), New York, N.Y.: Ace Books, →ISBN, page 51:

     “The matrix has its roots in primitive arcade games,” said the voice-over, “in early graphics programs and military experimentation with cranial jacks.” […] “Cyberspace. A consensual hallucination experienced daily by billions of legitimate operators, in every nation, by children being taught mathematical concepts … A graphic representation of data abstracted from the banks of every computer in the human system. Unthinkable complexity. […] ”

   • 2009 September 23, possum, “Re: In which the Trollpa evinzes hizzelf aza profezzional nuizzance”, in talk.religion.buddhism‎ (Usenet), message-ID <[e-mail]>:

     Now some folks want to claim that we're in the Matrix right now (or that the physical world is an illusion).

   • 2017, Chuck Lorre Productions #557 (post-episode text), "The Recollection Dissipation", The Big Bang Theory

     Recent events have made it abundantly clear that the fabric of the universe is unraveling. Reality as you know it, the matrix if you will, is dissolving.

2. (figurative) A social institution or apparatus perceived as largely deceptive or illusory.
   • 2022 January 27, William Costa, “German-speaking Covid denialists seek to build paradise in Paraguay”, in The Guardian‎:

     They claimed that Paraguay’s accommodating immigration laws have proved attractive to Germans who want to “escape the matrix” and flee the “deep state and one world order”.

Derived terms

• glitch in the Matrix

German

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin mātrīx. Doublet of Matrize.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /maːtrɪks/

• Audio (Germany):

  (file)

Noun

Matrix f (genitive Matrix, plural Matrizen or Matrizes or Matrices)

1. (mathematics) matrix

Declension

Declension of Matrix [feminine]

	singular			plural
	indef.	def.	noun	def.	noun
nominative	eine	die	Matrix	die	Matrizen, Matrizes, Matrices
genitive	einer	der	Matrix	der	Matrizen, Matrizes, Matrices
dative	einer	der	Matrix	den	Matrizen, Matrizes, Matrices
accusative	eine	die	Matrix	die	Matrizen, Matrizes, Matrices

Derived terms

• Matrixmultiplikation, Matrixprodukt, Matrizenmultiplikation, Matrizenprodukt

Descendants

• → Turkish: matriks

Further reading

• “Matrix” in Duden online