Word Study
tessellate
CIDE DICTIONARY
tessellate, v. t. [L. tessellatus tessellated. See Tessellar.].
To form into squares or checkers; to lay with checkered work. [1913 Webster]
"The floors are sometimes of wood, tessellated after the fashion of France." [1913 Webster]
tessellate, a. [L. tesselatus.].
Tessellated. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
tessellate, v.tr.
1 make from tesserae.
2 Math. cover (a plane surface) by repeated use of a single shape.
1 make from tesserae.
2 Math. cover (a plane surface) by repeated use of a single shape.
Etymology
L tessellare f. tessella dimin. of TESSERA
THESAURUS
tessellate
band, bar, bespangle, bespeckle, bespot, blotch, check, checker, dapple, dot, fit in, flake, fleck, freckle, harlequin, implant, infix, inlay, iris, maculate, marble, marbleize, motley, mottle, pepper, polychrome, polychromize, rainbow, spangle, speck, speckle, splotch, spot, sprinkle, stigmatize, stipple, streak, striate, stripe, stud, tattoo, variegate, veinFor further exploring for "tessellate" in Webster Dictionary Online