Description of Claire use of the adjective "mat"

Question

Why is the final "t" in "mat" pronounced?

Given that "le teint" is masculine I would think that the "t" would be silent. If one were to describe her as having "la peau matte" then the final "t" would be pronounced.

Thank you for your answer in advance.

Accepted Answer

Hi Shamrockhill,
Both adjectives 'mat' (masc) and 'matte'( fem) are pronounced in the same way and sound the -t.
Bonne Continuation !

Answer

Mat (masculine), mate (feminine) -- dark, not shiny, dullThe -t at the end of the masculine form is pronounced. Why, you ask? Just to keep it interesting, I suppose. ;)

Answer

Thank you both for your replies. I wonder if it has anything to do with the etymology of the word?

Littre gives the following:

"ÉTYMOLOGIE

Provenç. mat, triste. Dans les anciens textes, mat signifie seulement las, humilié ; c'est de ce sens qu'on est allé au sens de terne, qui paraît très récent. Mat, las, humilié, est un sens dérivé, comme le verbe mater, de mat 1. L'allemand a matt, qui signifie abattu, terne et mat ; Diez pense qu'il vient des langues romanes."

But, still no explanation for the pronunciation.