passe-partout

American  

[pas-pahr-too, pahs-par-too] / ˌpæs pɑrˈtu, pɑs parˈtu /

noun

passe-partouts plural

1. something that passes everywhere or provides a universal means of passage.

2. a master key; skeleton key.

3. an ornamental mat for a picture.

4. a method of framing in which a piece of glass is placed over a picture and is affixed to a backing by means of adhesive strips of paper or other material pasted over the edges.

5. paper prepared for this purpose.

---

passe-partout British  

/ pɑspartu, ˌpæspɑːˈtuː /

noun

1. a mounting for a picture in which strips of strong gummed paper are used to bind together the glass, picture, and backing

2. the gummed paper used for this

3. a mat, often decorated, on which a picture is mounted

4. something that secures entry everywhere, esp a master key

---

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• passe-partouts
  plural

Etymology

Origin of passe-partout

First recorded in 1635–45; from French: literally, “(it) passes everywhere”

Example Sentences

Materials: Cardboard; book-cloth or Japanese tissue paper; passe-partout paper.

From Handicraft for Girls A Tentative Course in Needlework, Basketry, Designing, Paper and Cardboard Construction, Textile Fibers and Fabrics and Home Decoration and Care by McGlauflin, Idabelle

Finally when only one is left, award a prize, a little water color, painted by the hostess, and framed passe-partout, to the "unabridged dictionary" as the winner might be called.

From Suppers Novel Suggestions for Social Occasions by Pierce, Paul

It was a piercingly cold night, the ground was covered with snow, and she picked her way carefully up the steps and then felt in her pocket for her passe-partout.

From The Letter-Bag of Lady Elizabeth Spencer-Stanhope — Volume 1 by Stirling, A. M. W.

When the sections are finished, fasten them together with the passe-partout paper.

From Handicraft for Girls A Tentative Course in Needlework, Basketry, Designing, Paper and Cardboard Construction, Textile Fibers and Fabrics and Home Decoration and Care by McGlauflin, Idabelle

It is set in an oval passe-partout, and requires only a glass over it to fit it for placing on a wall.

From Punchinello, Volume 2, No. 27, October 1, 1870 by Various