mosaic

[ moh-zey-ik ]

/ moʊˈzeɪ ɪk /

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noun

a picture or decoration made of small, usually colored pieces of inlaid stone, glass, etc.

the process of producing such a picture or decoration.

something resembling such a picture or decoration in composition, especially in being made up of diverse elements: a mosaic of borrowed ideas.

Also called aerial mosaic, photomosaic. Surveying. an assembly of aerial photographs matched in such a way as to show a continuous photographic representation of an area (mosaic map ).

Architecture. (in an architectural plan) a system of patterns for differentiating the areas of a building or the like, sometimes consisting of purely arbitrary patterns used to separate areas according to function but often consisting of plans of flooring, reflected ceiling plans, overhead views of furnishings and equipment, or other items really included in the building or building plan.

Also called mosaic disease .Plant Pathology. any of several diseases of plants, characterized by mottled green or green and yellow areas on the leaves, caused by certain viruses.

Biology. an organism exhibiting mosaicism.

Television. a light-sensitive surface in a television camera tube, consisting of a thin mica sheet coated on one side with a large number of small globules of silver and cesium insulated from each other. The image to be televised is focused on this surface and the resulting charges on the globules are scanned by an electron beam.

adjective

pertaining to, resembling, or used for making a mosaic or mosaic work: a mosaic tile.

composed of a combination of diverse elements.

verb (used with object), mo·sa·icked, mo·sa·ick·ing.

to make a mosaic of or from.

to decorate with mosaic.

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Origin of mosaic

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French mosaïque, from Italian mosaico, from Medieval Latin musaicum, re-formation of Late Latin musīvum (opus), Latin musēum, musaeum “mosaic work,” of obscure origin; variants may show an assumed relationship with Greek mouseîon “shrine of the Muses, museum” by analogy with archī(v)um “archive” though classical Greek word is not attested in the sense “mosaic”; see museum, archive

OTHER WORDS FROM mosaic

mo·sa·i·cal·ly, adverbpre·mo·sa·ic, adjective

Words nearby mosaic

mortuary, morula, morwong, moryah, MOS, mosaic, mosaic disease, mosaic glass, mosaic gold, mosaicism, mosaicist

Other definitions for mosaic (2 of 2)

Mosaic

[ moh-zey-ik ]

/ moʊˈzeɪ ɪk /

adjective

of or relating to Moses or the writings, laws, and principles attributed to him: Mosaic ethics.

Sometimes Mo·sa·i·cal .

Origin of Mosaic

1655–65; <New Latin Mosaicus, equivalent to Late Latin Mōs(ēs) Moses + -aicus, on the model of Hebraicus Hebraic

OTHER WORDS FROM Mosaic

post-Mo·sa·ic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use mosaic in a sentence

Those cut-up rectangles, for example, can easily tile together to fill in a mosaic in two dimensions.
Scientists Uncover the Universal Geometry of Geology|Joshua Sokol|November 19, 2020|Quanta Magazine
The propagation of these social media images, I think, is largely responsible for making tiled mosaic and cement floors done in bold patterns a growing trend in home design.
Captivated by bold tile on social media? Here’s what to consider before committing to the look.|Elizabeth Mayhew|October 29, 2020|Washington Post
Instead of a map, you face a seemingly random and complicated mosaic of signals.
Our Mind-Boggling Sense of Smell - Issue 91: The Amazing Brain|Ann-Sophie Barwich|October 14, 2020|Nautilus
It lets you plot out a specific grid of areas for your programs to snap to, and the more room you have to play around with, the more useful Mosaic becomes.
Make the most of your dual or ultrawide monitor setup|David Nield|October 1, 2020|Popular-Science

To get even more control, give Mosaic a try—you can use it for a week for free, after which it’ll set you back $13.
Make the most of your dual or ultrawide monitor setup|David Nield|October 1, 2020|Popular-Science
The Lennon Wall in Admiralty is a mosaic of Post-It notes, each square a scribbled wish.
The Monuments Men of Occupy Hong Kong|Brendon Hong|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The mosaic too looks to her eyes more like a work of the 1st than the 4th century B.C.
Amphipolis Tomb Yields Amazing Finds But Mysteries Linger|James Romm|October 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The result is a mosaic of spectra, covering up to 60 different regions.
SAMI Is Like Google Earth for the Universe|Matthew R. Francis|July 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Modern global surveys like the THEMIS mosaic are a way for us to understand an alien world.
The Best Map of Mars Yet|Matthew R. Francis|July 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This is what has created the mosaic of plots that we know today, and that was pretty much already in place a thousand years ago.
The Next UNESCO World Heritage Site: Burgundy’s Pinot Noir Country?|Jordan Salcito|May 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And till the Mosaic dispensation should come to an end, throughout life his obligation could not decrease.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
The principal entrance is an open chamber, originally vaulted, with a floor of black and white mosaic and walls of masonry.
The Catacombs of Rome|William Henry Withrow
The high-arched temple, in the centre of which stands the sarcophagus, is inlaid with mosaic work of rare stones.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
Stars were out now by thousands, a gold mosaic set into a high purple dome.
The Dragon Painter|Mary McNeil Fenollosa
Roman mosaic is formed with cubes of marble of various colours pressed into the float.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3|Various

British Dictionary definitions for mosaic (1 of 2)

mosaic

/ (məˈzeɪɪk) /

noun

a design or decoration made up of small pieces of coloured glass, stone, etc

the process of making a mosaic

a mottled yellowing that occurs in the leaves of plants affected with any of various virus diseases
Also called: mosaic disease any of the diseases, such as tobacco mosaic, that produce this discoloration

genetics another name for chimera (def. 4)

an assembly of aerial photographs forming a composite picture of a large area on the ground

a light-sensitive surface on a television camera tube, consisting of a large number of granules of photoemissive material deposited on an insulating medium

Derived forms of mosaic

mosaicist (məˈzeɪɪsɪst), noun

Word Origin for mosaic

C16: via French and Italian from Medieval Latin mōsaicus, from Late Greek mouseion mosaic work, from Greek mouseios of the Muses, from mousa Muse

British Dictionary definitions for mosaic (2 of 2)

Mosaic

Mosaical

/ (məʊˈzeɪɪk) /

adjective

of or relating to Moses or the laws and traditions ascribed to him

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for mosaic

mosaic

[ mō-zā′ĭk ]

Any of various viral diseases of plants, resulting in light and dark areas in the leaves, which often become shriveled and dwarfed.

Cultural definitions for mosaic

mosaic

A picture or design made from small pieces of colored tile, glass, or other material set in mortar. Mosaics have been widely used in Christian churches to decorate walls and ceilings.

mosaic

Origin of mosaic

OTHER WORDS FROM mosaic

Words nearby mosaic

Other definitions for mosaic (2 of 2)

Origin of Mosaic

OTHER WORDS FROM Mosaic

Words related to mosaic

How to use mosaic in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for mosaic (1 of 2)

Derived forms of mosaic

Word Origin for mosaic

British Dictionary definitions for mosaic (2 of 2)

Mosaical

Scientific definitions for mosaic

Cultural definitions for mosaic