Word of the Day for Tuesday, July 31, 2012

matte \mat\, adjective:
1. Having a dull or lusterless surface: matte paint; a matte complexion; a photograph with a matte finish.
noun:
1. A dull or dead surface, often slightly roughened, as on metals, paint, paper, or glass.
2. A tool for producing such a surface.

The blue, red, and green of the china pattern were matte, but the white background glowed.
-- James Collins, "Beginner's Greek"

In seconds the coals went from matte black to shiny wet and then back to matte black, as the stuff soaked in.
-- A.M. Homes, "Things You Should Know"

Matte comes form the Late Latin word mattus meaning "moist, soft, weak."

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