Langimage
English

mosaic

|mo-sa-ic|

B2

🇺🇸

/moʊˈzeɪɪk/

🇬🇧

/məʊˈzeɪɪk/

pattern of pieces

Etymology
Etymology Information

'mosaic' originates from the Latin word 'mosaicus', which was derived from the Greek word 'mousaikós', meaning 'of the Muses'.

Historical Evolution

'mousaikós' transformed into the Latin 'mosaicus', and eventually became the modern English word 'mosaic'.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it referred to art related to the Muses, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of a pattern made from small pieces.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a picture or pattern produced by arranging together small colored pieces of hard material, such as stone, tile, or glass.

The ancient Romans were known for their intricate floor mosaics.

Synonyms

Noun 2

a combination of diverse elements forming a more or less coherent whole.

The city's culture is a mosaic of different ethnic groups.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45