mosaic
mo·sa·ic / mōˈzā-ik/ • n. 1. a picture or pattern produced by arranging together small colored pieces of hard material, such as stone, tile, or glass: the mosaic shows the baptism of Christ | [as adj.] a mosaic floor. ∎ decorative work of this kind: the walls and vaults are decorated by marble and mosaic. ∎ a colorful and variegated pattern: the bird's plumage was a mosaic of slate-gray, blue, and brown. ∎ a combination of diverse elements forming a more or less coherent whole: an incompetently constructed mosaic of competing interests. ∎ an arrangement of photosensitive elements in a television camera. 2. Biol. an individual (esp. an animal) composed of cells of two genetically different types. 3. (also mosaic disease) a viral disease that results in leaf variegation in tobacco, corn, sugar cane, and other plants.• v. (-sa·icked, -sa·ick·ing) [tr.] decorate with a mosaic: [as adj.] (mosaicked) the mosaicked swimming pool. ∎ combine (distinct or disparate elements) to form a picture or pattern: the digital data were combined, or mosaicked, to delineate counties.DERIVATIVES: mo·sa·i·cist / mōˈzāəsist/ n.