white matter

noun

, Anatomy.

1. nerve tissue, especially of the brain and spinal cord, which primarily contains myelinated fibers and is nearly white in color. Compare gray matter ( def 1 ).

white matter

noun

1. See grey matter
   the whitish tissue of the brain and spinal cord, consisting mainly of myelinated nerve fibres Technical namesubstantia alba Compare grey matter

white matter

1. The whitish tissue of the vertebrate brain and spinal cord, made up chiefly of nerve fibers (axons) covered in myelin sheaths.
2. Compare gray matter

Word History and Origins

Origin of white matter¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

How are molecules from dirt getting into white matter—and what are they doing up there?

From The Daily Beast

Does this mean that living, growing bacteria are crawling around in our white matter?

From The Daily Beast

In the pedophile group, Cantor found significantly less white matter in two different regions, suggesting a connection deficit.

From The Daily Beast

More gray tissue, greater white-matter integrity, thicker wires, more myelination.

From The Daily Beast

These drops of water trickle to the floor, and occasionally the exuded white matter falls.

From Project Gutenberg

It is composed of a mass of gray matter surrounded by a covering of white matter.

From Project Gutenberg

The outer portion of the most peripheral layer of cells has already begun to be converted into the white matter.

From Project Gutenberg

The dorsal side of the cord is composed of nerve-fibres or white matter.

From Project Gutenberg

Hypersthesia, I suppose, or derangement of the white matter.

From Project Gutenberg