Words / B2

moh-ZAY-ik/məʊˈzeɪɪk/

A mosaic is a picture made from small pieces of stone or glass, or a mixed whole: a Roman mosaic; a mosaic of habitats. Collage is paper/photos; pattern is wider. A primary find, not a gift-shop replica. Mix-up: mosque is a place of worship (already in the dictionary); music is sound. Do not write mosaic for a mosque.

Meaning

A picture or pattern made from small pieces of stone or glass; also a mixed whole.

Examples

• “The Roman mosaic is a primary find, not a gift-shop replica.”
• “A mosaic of land uses featured in the GIS enquiry, which is the mixed-whole sense.”

Good to know

a mosaic; mosaic of + parts. Art twin: tesserae / tessellation. Trap: mosque / music. Classics, art, and geography. Tiled picture or a mix, not a place of worship.

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