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.

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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

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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

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

Besides these, there were engravings and photographs in passe-partout frames, that journeyed with her safely in the bottoms of her trunks.

From A Summer in Leslie Goldthwaite's Life. by Whitney, A. D. T. (Adeline Dutton Train)

Then place on the whole a glass plate of the same size as the first and border like a passe-partout.

From Photographic Reproduction Processes by Duchochois, Peter C.

I framed my copy as tastefully as I could, in a simple but harmonious passe-partout, and sent it to Miss Mehitable, with Fanny's love.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 18, No. 109, November, 1866 by Various

Descend by the small staircase; the inclosed is a passe-partout to open the gate, outside which Pedro will wait you with your horses, and guide you on your way, till you no longer require him.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846 by Various