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Definition of mat


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mat 2  audio  (mt) KEY  

NOUN:
  1. A decorative border placed around a picture to serve as a frame or provide contrast between the picture and the frame.
  2. also matte
    1. A dull, often rough finish, as of paint, glass, metal, or paper.
    2. A special tool for producing such a surface or finish.
  3. Printing See matrix.
TRANSITIVE VERB:
mat·ted , mat·ting , mats
  1. To put a mat around (a picture).
  2. To produce a dull finish on.
ADJECTIVE:
also matte
Having a dull finish.

ETYMOLOGY:
From French, dull, from Old French, defeated, withered, perhaps from Latin mattus, stupefied, senseless, possibly from *maditus, past participle of madre, to be wet


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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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