Definition

Noun: * Illustrations used to decorate or explain a text: "Pictorial matter" refers to the visual, non-textual elements within a publication, such as photographs, drawings, diagrams, charts, or maps, which are included to enhance understanding or provide decoration.

Usage

• "Pictorial matter" is a formal or technical term, often used in publishing, library science, or academic contexts to describe the illustrative content of a book, article, or document.
• It is typically used as an uncountable noun (e.g., "The pictorial matter is excellent") but can be used with quantifiers like "some," "a lot of," or "much."
• It distinguishes visual content from written or textual content.

Examples

• The textbook's complex concepts were clarified by its abundant pictorial matter.
• The editor requested more pictorial matter to break up the long sections of text.
• A significant portion of the archive consists of pictorial matter, including historical photographs and sketches.
• The report was criticized for lacking sufficient pictorial matter to support its findings.

Advanced Usage

• "Integration of pictorial matter": Refers to how well illustrations are combined with the text.
  • The success of the manual depended on the seamless integration of pictorial matter with the written instructions.
• "Analysis of pictorial matter": The study or examination of illustrations, often in an academic or research context.
  • Her thesis involved a detailed analysis of the pictorial matter in 19th-century newspapers.

Variants and Related Words

• Illustration (n): A picture or diagram that helps make something clear or attractive. (More common and general than "pictorial matter.")
• Visuals (n): A modern, informal term for visual materials like pictures and videos.
• Graphics (n): Visual images or designs, especially those generated by computer.
• Pictorial (adj): Relating to or consisting of pictures.
  • The magazine is known for its high pictorial quality.

Synonyms

• Illustrations
• Pictures
• Visual aids
• Figures (often used in academic texts for diagrams and charts)
• Plates (often used for full-page illustrations, especially in older books)

Antonyms

• Text
• Copy (written text prepared for publication)
• Narrative
• Prose

Noun

1. illustrations used to decorate or explain a text
   • the dictionary had many pictures