MATTE

flat, mat, matt, matte, matted

(adjective) not reflecting light; not glossy; “flat wall paint”; “a photograph with a matte finish”

flatness, lusterlessness, lustrelessness, mat, matt, matte

(noun) the property of having little or no contrast; lacking highlights or gloss

matte

(noun) a mixture of sulfides that forms when sulfide metal ores are smelted

felt, felt up, mat up, matt-up, matte up, matte, mat

(verb) change texture so as to become matted and felt-like; “The fabric felted up after several washes”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

matte (plural mattes)

(arts, photography) A decorative border around a picture used to inset and center the contents of a frame.

Synonyms: mat, matting, passe-partout

(cinema) A background, often painted or created with computers

(pyrometallurgy) The molten metal sulfide phases typically formed during smelting of copper, nickel, and other base metals.

Adjective

matte (comparative more matte, superlative most matte)

(American spelling) Dull; not reflective of light.

Synonym: matt (UK)

Antonym: glossy

Anagrams

• Tatem

Source: Wiktionary


Matte, n. Etym: [F. matte; cf. F. mat, masc., matte, fem., faint, dull, dim; -- said of metals. See Mate checkmate.]

1. (Metallurgy)

Definition: A partly reduced copper sulphide, obtained by alternately roasting and melting copper ore in separating the metal from associated iron ores, and called coarse metal, fine metal, etc., according to the grade of fineness. On the exterior it is dark brown or black, but on a fresh surface is yellow or bronzy in color.

2. A dead or dull finish, as in gilding where the gold leaf is not burnished, or in painting where the surface is purposely deprived of gloss.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

17 April 2025

SPONGE

(noun) a porous mass of interlacing fibers that forms the internal skeleton of various marine animals and usable to absorb water or any porous rubber or cellulose product similarly used


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Coffee Trivia

Coffee dates back to the 9th century. Goat herders in Ethiopia noticed their goats seem to be “dancing” after eating berries from a particular shrub. They reported it to the local monastery, and a monk made a drink out of it. The monk found out he felt energized and kept him awake at night. That’s how the first coffee drink was born.

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