See Also: subject-matter(dictionary)
SUBJECT-MATTER(law)
subject matter(dictionary)
subject(2)(dictionary)
subject(1)(dictionary)
Subject(money)
Subject to a (NY) can(finance)
Subject(finance)
subject(dictionary)
Subject to a (NY) can(money)

subject-matter (iou)



subject-matter noun. Also subject matter. M16.
[from SUBJECT adjective + MATTER noun, var. of earlier matter subject s.v. MATTER noun. Later interpreted as from MATTER noun.]
a. The matter out of which a thing is formed, raw material used in an art, process, etc. M16.
b. The ground, basis, or source of something. Only in 17.
The subject or theme of a book, speech, etc., a topic. L16.
The substance of a book, speech, etc., as opp. to form or style. M17.
J. Barzun Dewey's effect on schooling was to dethrone subject-matter and replace it by techniques
Matter treated in writing, discussion, a lawsuit, etc.; that dealt with by a science or branch of study; material expressed in a book, artwork, etc. M17.
A. H. Sayce Articulate speech itself, the subject-matter of philology. C. Harman Occasionally, she turned to autobiographical subject-matter for her stories. Field The archetypal subject-matter of impressionist painting is landscape.