palette

pal·ette

noun \ˈpa-lət\

: a thin board that has a hole for the thumb at one end and that is used by a painter to mix colors while painting

: the range of colors used by someone

Full Definition of PALETTE

1

:  a thin oval or rectangular board or tablet that a painter holds and mixes pigments on

2

a :  the set of colors put on the palette

b (1) :  a particular range, quality, or use of color (2) :  a comparable range, quality, or use of available elements <a rich palette of tones and timbres> <a palette of flavors>

Origin of PALETTE

French, from Middle French, diminutive of pale spade, from Latin pala; probably akin to Latin pangere to fix — more at pact

First Known Use: 1622

Other Fine Arts Terms

Gothic, baroque, bas-relief, limn, oeuvre, pastiche, rococo, sfumato

Rhymes with PALETTE

ballot, callet, mallet, palate, pallet, sallet, shallot, valet