Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MAT'TER, v.i.

1. To be of importance; to import; used with it, this, that, or what. This matters not; that matters not; chiefly used in negative phrases; as, what matters it? It matters not how they are called, so we know who they are. Locke.
2. To maturate; to form pus; to collect, as matter in an abscess. Each slight sore mattereth. [Little used.] Sidney. [We now use maturate.]