Baretti: A dictionary of the English and Italian languages
Matéri-a, s. f. disp. Matéri-áccia,
1. material, matter;2. subject, cause. Uscir di —, to ramble, talk idly. In — di chicchessia, on the subject of. Entrar nel —, to enter upon one's subject; 3. occasion, opportunity, cause. Dar —, to give an opportunity; 4. pus, matter.
Florio: a worlde of wordes, or most copious, dictionarie in Italian and English
materia: matter, stuffe or substance whereof any thing is or may be made. Also any subiect, ground or argument. Also cause or occasion of any thing.
