mosaic

Etymology

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)).

noun

1. A piece of artwork created by placing colored squares (usually tiles) in a pattern so as to create a picture.
2. pixelization (method of censorship)
   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 that obscure body parts, crude gestures, and the like ... 2019, Laura Little, Guilty Pleasures: Comedy and Law in America, Oxford University Press, archived from the original on 2023-07-19, page 65
3. (genetics) An individual composed of two or more cell lines of different genetic or chromosomal constitution, but from the same zygote.
4. (phytopathology) Any of several viral diseases that cause mosaic-like patterns to appear on leaves.
5. A composite picture made from overlapping photographs.

adj

1. (of an individual) Containing cells of varying genetic constitution.

verb

1. (transitive) To arrange in a mosaic.
   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. 1944, War Department Technical Manual, volume 5, number 240, page 60