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Added 9 October 2026

matte

/mæt/ noun

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about matte at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A decorative border around a picture used to inset and center the contents of a frame.
The image is a perfect square of 8 cm (with white matte border the total dimensions are 14 cm tall by 11 cm wide).
A background, often painted or created with computers
Matte painting is a tool that filmmakers can use to create a scene that is impossible to achieve with conventional cinematographic means.
The molten metal sulfide phases typically formed during smelting of copper, nickel, and other base metals.

adjective

Dull; not reflective of light.
Flat or matte paint allows a deep color expression on the walls while also hiding flaws that may be inherent on the painted surface.

verb

To produce a dull, lustreless surface on (metal).

Origin

Borrowed from French mat.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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