matte
    adj 1: not reflecting light; not glossy; "flat wall paint"; "a
           photograph with a matte finish" [syn: flat, mat,
           matt, matte, matted]
    n 1: a mixture of sulfides that forms when sulfide metal ores
         are smelted
    2: the property of having little or no contrast; lacking
       highlights or gloss [syn: flatness, lusterlessness,
       lustrelessness, mat, matt, matte]
    v 1: change texture so as to become matted and felt-like; "The
         fabric felted up after several washes" [syn: felt, felt
         up, mat up, matt-up, matte up, matte, mat]

Matte \Matte\ (m[a^]t), n. [F. matte; cf. F. mat, masc., matte,
   fem., faint, dull, dim; -- said of metals. See Mate
   checkmate.]
   1. (Metallurgy) 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.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
      [1913 Webster]

matte \matte\ (m[a^]t), a.
   Having a dull, lusterless surface finish; opposed to glossy
   or polished; as, a matte photograph; a proof coin with matte
   figures on a polished field.
   [PJC]