Definition

1. Noun:

   • Art form using small pieces: A picture or pattern produced by arranging together small colored pieces of hard material, such as stone, tile, or glass.
   • Composite image: Something resembling such a picture or pattern, especially a complex whole made up of many diverse and interconnected parts.
   • Plant disease: A viral disease of plants, especially tobacco, tomatoes, and potatoes, causing mottled or streaked discoloration of the leaves.

2. Adjective:

   • Relating to the art form: Of, relating to, or resembling a mosaic.
   • Relating to Moses: Of or relating to Moses or the laws and writings attributed to him.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Art form):
  • The ancient floor mosaic depicts a scene from mythology.
  • She creates beautiful mosaics from broken ceramic tiles.
• Noun (Composite whole):
  • The city is a rich cultural mosaic of different communities.
  • The report presents a mosaic of opinions from various stakeholders.
• Noun (Plant disease):
  • The tomato crop was severely affected by mosaic virus.
• Adjective (Art form):
  • The mosaic floor in the basilica is stunning.
• Adjective (Relating to Moses):
  • Mosaic Law forms the foundation of many religious traditions.

Advanced Usage

• "form a mosaic": To come together to create a complex, interconnected whole.
  • The individual stories form a mosaic of life in the 19th century.
• "mosaic of cultures": A society composed of many distinct cultural groups.
  • The nation is celebrated as a vibrant mosaic of cultures.

Variants and Related Words

• Mosaicist (n): An artist who creates mosaics.
  • The mosaicist spent months on the intricate design.
• Mosaicism (n): (In biology/medicine) The condition in which an organism has two or more genetically different cell lines.
  • Genetic mosaicism can result in unique physical characteristics.

Synonyms

• Collage: An artistic composition of various materials.
• Patchwork: Something composed of miscellaneous parts.
• Medley: A varied mixture.

Related Phrases

• Mosaic law: The ancient law of the Hebrews, attributed to Moses.
• Mosaic virus: Any of a group of plant viruses that cause mosaic disease.

Adjective

1. of or relating to Moses or the laws and writings attributed to him
   • Mosaic Law

Noun

1. arrangement of aerial photographs forming a composite picture
2. transducer formed by the light-sensitive surface on a television camera tube
3. a pattern resembling a mosaic
4. a freeware browser
5. viral disease in solanaceous plants (tomatoes, potatoes, tobacco) resulting in mottling and often shriveling of the leaves
6. art consisting of a design made of small pieces of colored stone or glass