Key terms & definitions

A version of a material supplied with particular properties and a specified level of performance.

A boundary where one material meets another.

An approach that explains phenomena through physical matter and processes. In the novella, Lanyon’s material outlook contrasts with Jekyll’s investigation of the spirit and identity.

An attitude that places excessive importance on money and possessions rather than spiritual or other non-material values.

An approach to science concerned with the physical world and observable evidence, rather than spiritual or supernatural explanations.

A characteristic of a material, such as strength or resistance to corrosion, that affects its suitability for a task.

How well a material’s condition and properties meet the requirements of its intended application, including strength, appearance and freedom from unacceptable defects.

Surviving physical evidence from the past, including buildings, objects, decoration and writing.

A manufacturing process that cuts or abrades unwanted material away from a starting piece to produce the required shape and size.

A surviving physical object or structure that provides evidence about the society that made or used it.

Sorting or taking apart a product so that its different materials can be collected and processed separately.

A measure of how frequently women die from causes associated with pregnancy and childbirth.

The number of maternal deaths associated with pregnancy or childbirth per 100,000 live births.

A model that uses quantities, patterns in data and scientific relationships to describe or predict behaviour.

A model that uses quantities and mathematical relationships to describe a system, solve problems or predict behaviour.

A model that uses equations or numerical relationships to describe a system and calculate possible outcomes.

A model that uses mathematical relationships, such as equations, to connect quantities and calculate outcomes.

A mathematical representation of a situation or process.

Representing an aspect of a design using quantities, relationships and calculations to explore or predict its behaviour.

The text or content of a Hadith report, describing the Prophet Muhammad’s words, actions or teaching.

A woman who leads a family or community. Enid leads her household, while Mai holds authority through her knowledge and work as a healer.

A society in which women hold the dominant authority.

Descent or inheritance through the female line. Mai’s transfer of knowledge to Del creates a symbolic mother–daughter inheritance.

The sacrament of marriage, joining a husband and wife in a lifelong union before God.

The material in a composite that surrounds and binds the reinforcement together.

The material that binds and holds the reinforcement together in a composite.

A rectangular array of numbers or letters arranged in rows and columns.

The material that surrounds and binds the reinforcement in a composite. In GRP and CRP, the matrix is a plastic resin that hardens.

A respectable married Roman woman; the plural is matronae.

A substance that has mass and occupies space; all matter is made from tiny particles ultimately built from atoms.