idea vs matter

idea

noun
  • An abstract archetype of a given thing, compared to which real-life examples are seen as imperfect approximations; pure essence, as opposed to actual examples. 

  • A conception in the mind of something to be done; a plan for doing something, an intention. 

  • A purposeful aim or goal; intent 

  • A musical theme or melodic subject. 

  • More generally, any result of mental activity; a thought, a notion; a way of thinking. 

  • An image of an object that is formed in the mind or recalled by the memory. 

  • A vague or fanciful notion; a feeling or hunch; an impression. 

matter

noun
  • Aristotelian: undeveloped potentiality subject to change and development; formlessness. Matter receives form, and becomes substance. 

  • Matter made up of normal particles, not antiparticles. 

  • An affair, condition, or subject, especially one of concern or (especially when preceded by the) one that is problematic. 

  • The basic structural component of the universe, usually having mass and volume. 

  • An approximate amount or extent. 

  • Printed material, especially in books or magazines. 

  • A kind of substance. 

verb
  • To be important. 

  • To care about, to mind; to find important. 

How often have the words idea and matter occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )