Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - matrix

n. (pl. matrices or matrixes) 1 a mould in which a thing is cast or shaped, such as a gramophone record, printing type, etc. 2 a an environment or substance in which a thing is developed. b a womb. 3 a mass of fine-grained rock in which gems, fossils, etc., are embedded. 4 Math. a rectangular array of elements in rows and columns that is treated as a single element. 5 Biol. the substance between cells or in which structures are embedded. 6 Computing a gridlike array of interconnected circuit elements. Phrases and idioms matrix printer = dot matrix printer (see DOT(1)). Etymology: L, = breeding-female, womb, register f. mater matris mother