tessellate

American  

[tes-uh-leyt, tes-uh-lit, -leyt] / ˈtɛs əˌleɪt, ˈtɛs ə lɪt, -ˌleɪt /

Also tesselate

verb (used with object)

tessellated, tessellating

1. to form of small squares or blocks, as floors or pavements; form or arrange in a checkered or mosaic pattern.

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adjective

1. tessellated.

tessellate British  

/ ˈtɛsɪˌleɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to construct, pave, or inlay with a mosaic of small tiles

2. (intr) (of identical shapes) to fit together exactly

   triangles will tessellate but octagons will not

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Usage

What does tessellate mean? To tessellate is to form a pattern of shapes that fit together perfectly, without any gaps. The resulting pattern can be called a tessellation. Such a pattern can be described as tessellated. This often often refers to a pattern that includes a repetition of one particular shape, such as the repetition of squares in a checkerboard. But tessellations can also be formed from multiple shapes. For example, a classic black-and-white soccer ball is an example of a tessellation that consists of two different shapes: hexagons and pentagons. Tesselate can be used in the sense of someone doing the tessellating (as in I tessellated these squares to form a checkerboard) or things tessellating by themselves (as in The shapes tessellate to form a pattern.)A tessellation is a kind of mosaic. They’re often seen on surfaces that have been covered in tiles. That’s because floor and wall tiles are often designed so that they can tessellate—fit together perfectly, without any overlap or gaps. Less commonly, tessellate can be used as an adjective meaning the same thing as a tessellated. Tessellate is sometimes spelled with one l, as tesselate.[caption id="attachment_169801" align="alignnone" width="300"] Source: Getty. These hexagons have been tessellated to form a tessellation.[/caption]Example: Hexagons were tessellated together to form a honeycomb pattern on the side of the building.

Etymology

Origin of tessellate

First recorded in 1785–95; from Latin tessellātus “mosaic,” equivalent to tessell(a) “small square stone or cube” (diminutive of tessera + -ātus; see origin at tessera, -ate ¹

Explanation

To tessellate is to make a pattern using identical shapes, creating a consistent pattern like a honeycomb. Tessellating is a way of designing something — like the pattern of a floor, painting, or shirt—by repeating the same shapes over and over again. Tessellating creates a pattern that is usually pleasing. If you look around where you live, there is probably a tessellated pattern on the wallpaper or maybe in the bathroom tiles.

Example Sentences

You will note these two positions don't tessellate as neatly as they could.

From BBC • Nov. 9, 2023

I note those two positions don't tessellate as neatly as they could.

From BBC • Nov. 8, 2023

They tessellate nicely, and up to about 6 feet he has no problems.

From Slate

Related Words

• decorate