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REFERENCE

matte

adj. · n. · v.
US //ˈmæt// UK //mˈæt// mat·te
  1. 1 dull or non-shiny (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    having a dull surface that does not reflect light.

    having a dull or lustreless surface finish that lacks a glossy or reflective quality.

    Example

    She chose a matte paint for the bedroom walls to avoid any glare from the sun.

    Example

    The photographer preferred a matte finish for the portraits, as it provided a sophisticated texture without the distracting reflections of a glossy coating.
  2. 2 picture border (n.)
    C1 Advanced American English Art

    a decorative border, usually made of cardboard, placed around a picture inside a frame.

    a decorative border or mount, typically of card or paper, used to inset and centre a photograph or artwork within a frame.

    Example

    The white matte around the photo makes the colours look much brighter.

    Example

    The gallery used acid-free mattes to ensure that the historical documents remained preserved while being displayed in heavy oak frames.

    Usage

    Often spelled 'mat' or 'matted' in this context.
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  1. 3 film background (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Theatre

    a painted or digital background used in films to make it look like the actors are in a different place.

    a background, traditionally painted on glass or now created digitally, used in filmmaking to represent a location not present during filming.

    Example

    The old sci-fi movie used a matte painting to show the alien city in the distance.

    Example

    Modern visual effects have largely replaced traditional matte paintings with complex digital environments that allow for dynamic camera movement.
  2. 4 molten metal (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    a mixture of metals created during the process of melting ore.

    the impure product of the first smelting of certain ores, such as copper or nickel, consisting of a mixture of metal sulphides.

    Example

    The workers carefully moved the copper matte to the next stage of the refining process.

    Example

    The chemical composition of the matte must be precisely monitored to ensure the efficiency of the subsequent conversion into pure metal.

  3. 5 to make dull (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical

    to make a surface look dull or non-shiny.

    to produce a dull, lustreless surface on a material, particularly metal or glass.

    Example

    The craftsman used a special tool to matte the silver surface of the bowl.

    Example

    The glass was matted using a sandblasting technique to provide privacy while still allowing light to pass through the office partitions.
Origin

Borrowed from French mat.

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