How Do You Spell TESSERAE?

Pronunciation: [tˈɛsəɹˌiː] (IPA)

Tesserae is a plural noun that refers to small pieces of glass, stone, or pottery that are used to create a mosaic. The word is pronounced as ˈtɛsəri, with the emphasis on the first syllable. The "e" at the end of the word is silent, and the "ae" is pronounced as "ee". The spelling of the word comes from its Latin origin, where "tessera" means a small cube or tile. In English, tesserae is commonly used in reference to ancient and modern mosaic art.

TESSERAE Meaning and Definition

1. Tesserae are small, often square-shaped, individual pieces or tiles used in the art of mosaic making. Derived from the Latin term “tessellae,” which means small squares or cubes, tesserae date back to ancient times and were commonly made from materials such as ceramics, stone, glass, or marble. They were meticulously hand-cut into various shapes and sizes, with each tessera possessing a unique color or texture.

   These small tiles played a crucial role in the creation of mosaics, which involved arranging tesserae together on a surface to form a decorative pattern or image. Artists utilized tesserae to compose intricate designs, allowing for an array of colors, shades, and textures to be incorporated.

   Tesserae were carefully positioned and adhered to a base material, such as concrete or mortar, using techniques like direct or indirect method. The small size of tesserae allowed for precise detailing and intricate compositions, resulting in visually stunning and durable mosaic artworks.

   Today, tesserae continue to be utilized in mosaic art, both in traditional and contemporary works. Consequently, the term “tesserae” denotes the individual pieces or tiles used in mosaic making, highlighting their significance in creating truly unique and vibrant designs.

2. A small six-sided solid of marble, earthenware, glass, &c., used for tesselated pavements, ornamenting walls, &c.; a small square of anything used as a token or ticket.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for TESSERAE

• tesseae
• Tessesae

Etymology of TESSERAE

The word "tesserae" has its origins in ancient Rome and is derived from the Latin word "tessera", which means a small cube or a token. In ancient Rome, tesserae were small, rectangular pieces of tile, stone, or glass that were used in mosaics to create decorative patterns or images. The word "tessera" itself comes from the Greek word "tessares", which means "four", referring to the four sides or faces of the small cube shape. Over time, the term "tesserae" has come to be widely used in the field of art and architecture to refer to any small, square or rectangular pieces used to create mosaic patterns.