palette

[ pal-it ]

noun

1. a thin and usually oval or oblong board or tablet with a thumb hole at one end, used by painters for holding and mixing colors.
2. any other flat surface used by a painter for this purpose.
3. the set of colors on such a board or surface.
4. the range of colors used by a particular artist:

   From this period onwards, his palette lightened in color and he focused primarily on painting seascapes.

5. any set or range of colors, such as those used in brand marketing or as part of a collection of cosmetics:

   The website’s organic, bronze palette and geometric typography reflect the intersection of urbanity and the gallery's natural surroundings.

6. the variety of techniques or range of any art:

   a lush but uneven musical palette.

7. the complete range of colors made available by a computer graphics card, from which a user or program may choose those to be displayed.
8. the range or scope of something:

   a broad palette of skills and strategies.

9. (in ancient Egyptian art) a somewhat flattish slate object of various shapes, carved with commemorative scenes or motifs or, especially in the smaller pieces, containing a recessed area probably for holding eye makeup and often used as a votive offering.
10. Also pal·lette. Armor. a small plate defending the front of the armpit when the arm is lifted; gusset.

palette

/ ˈpælɪt /

noun

1. Alsopallet a flat piece of wood, plastic, etc, used by artists as a surface on which to mix their paints
2. the range of colours characteristic of a particular artist, painting, or school of painting

   a restricted palette

3. the available range of colours or patterns that can be displayed by a computer on a visual display unit
4. either of the plates of metal attached by a strap to the cuirass in a suit of armour to protect the armpits

Usage

See palate pallet 1

Other Words From

• pal·ette·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of palette¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from French, Middle French, diminutive of pale “spade, shovel,” from Latin pāla “spade, winnowing fan, shoulder blade” (related to pale ²( def ), peel ²( def ), peel ³( def ) ) + -ette; -ette

Word History and Origins

Origin of palette¹

C17: from French, diminutive of pale shovel, from Latin pala spade

Example Sentences

The show’s straightforward animation and subdued color palette are also important.

From Los Angeles Times

How did you approach the color palette?

From Los Angeles Times

The rest of the retro aesthetic is achieved with a desaturated color palette that is not well served by the digital photography and dim lighting.

From Los Angeles Times

Stipe now enunciated his lyrics, which shaded into social commentary, while the arrangements drew from a palette that included string sections, mandolins and an increasing reliance on Mills’ textured keyboard parts.

From Los Angeles Times

It all percolates in the shadowy urban allure of Paul Guilhaume’s cinematography, especially as it plays across its leading ladies’ faces, turning skin into a mood palette, burnishing all the musical interludes.

From Los Angeles Times