mosaic
/moʊˈzeɪ.ɪk/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.58 in modern English
10
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
3
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A piece of artwork created by placing colored pieces (usually tiles, either regular or irregular in shape) in a pattern so as to create a picture.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
An individual composed of two or more cell lines of different genetic or chromosomal constitution, but from the same zygote.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
Any of several viral diseases that cause mosaic-like patterns to appear on leaves.
Countable; Uncountable
adj
Example Sentences
- "Using censorship's ability to enhance laughter, modern comedy uses a full array of censorship tools: strategically placed censors' black bars ... digitalized mosaic blurs or pixilations^([sic]) that obscure body parts, crude gestures, and the like ..."
- "Featheredging is a process in preparing the photographs for mosaicking and involves cutting, tearing, and sandpapering the back of the print along its edges in such a way that the edge of the print is thin and will make a smooth match with adjoining prints."
- "Mosaic law"
- "The Mosaic account of the creation, whether taken as divine authority, or merely historical, is full to this point, the unity or equality of man."
- "The Mosaic Code, embodied in the Pentateuch, furnished to the children of Israel the necessary platform of justice; ancient tradition and Rabbinic interpretation contained in the Talmud, supplied needed rules of practical application."
Etymology
Etymology tree Ancient Greek Μοῦσᾰ (Moûsă) Proto-Indo-European *-yósder. Ancient Greek -ῐος (-ĭos)? Ancient Greek -ῐον (-ĭon) Ancient Greek -εῖον (-eîon) Ancient Greek Μουσεῖον (Mouseîon) Ancient Greek μουσεῖον (mouseîon)der. Late Latin mūsīvum Medieval Latin musaicumbor. Italian mosaicoder. Middle French mosaïqueder. English mosaic From Middle French mosaïque, from Italian mosaico, from Medieval Latin musaicum, from Late Latin musivum (opus), from Latin museum, musaeum, probably from Ancient Greek Μουσεῖον (Mouseîon), shrine of the Muses (Μοῦσα (Moûsa)). Doublet of museum.
Origin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /moʊˈzeɪ.ɪk/
- British English: /məʊˈzeɪk/