Mo*sa"ic (?), n. [F. mosaique; cf. Pr. mozaic, musec, Sp. & Pg. mosaico, It. mosaico, musaico, LGr. , , L. musivum; all fr. Gr. belonging to the Muses. See Muse the goddess.]

1. Fine Arts

A surface decoration made by inlaying in patterns small pieces of variously colored glass, stone, or other material; -- called also mosaic work.

2.

A picture or design made in mosaic; an article decorated in mosaic.

 

© Webster 1913.


Mo*sa"ic, a.

Of or pertaining to the style of work called mosaic; formed by uniting pieces of different colors; variegated; tessellated; also, composed of various materials or ingredients.

A very beautiful mosaic pavement. Addison.

Florentine mosaic. See under Florentine. -- Mosaic gold. (a) See Ormolu. -- (b) Stannic sulphide, SnS2, obtained as a yellow scaly crystalline powder, and used as a pigment in bronzing and gilding wood and metal work. It was called by the alchemists aurum musivum, or aurum mosaicum. Called also bronze powder. -- Mosaic work. See Mosaic, n.

 

© Webster 1913.


Mo*sa"ic, a. [From Moses.]

Of or pertaining to Moses, the leader of the Israelites, or established through his agency; as, the Mosaic law, rites, or institutions.

 

© Webster 1913.