noun / adjective
mosaic
moh-ZAY-ik/məʊˈzeɪɪk/
A picture or pattern made from small pieces of colored material.
A colorful mosaic of glass tiles covers the courtyard wall.
Etymology
The pieces point to 'work of the Muses,' the protectors of the arts. Medieval mosaics were often dedicated to them, connecting that artistic association with patterns assembled from small inlaid pieces.
In context
<i>Then they use special underwater mortar to reconstruct the 2000 year</i> <i>old mosaic: a black and white fish made from pure marble pieces.</i>
More examples
- The children arrange small stones into a mosaic of a bird.
- Tiny blue and white tiles form the mosaic floor.
- The museum displays ancient mosaics depicting animals and flowers.
Forms
mosaic · mosaics
Similar words
- collage
- Collage usually combines pasted paper or images rather than tiles.
- inlay
- Inlay sets decorative pieces into a surface, not necessarily pictures.