adj., n., & v. (also mat)
--adj. (of a colour, surface, etc.) dull, without lustre.
--n.
1. a border of dull gold round a framed picture.
2 (in full matt paint) paint formulated to give a dull flat finish (cf. GLOSS(1)).
3 the appearance of unburnished gold.
--v.tr. (matted, matting)
1. make (gilding etc.) dull.
2 frost (glass).
Etymology: F mat, mater, identical with mat MATE(2)