tessellate

[ verb tes-uh-leyt; adjective tes-uh-lit, -leyt ]
/ verb ˈtɛs əˌleɪt; adjective ˈtɛs ə lɪt, -ˌleɪt /

verb (used with object), tes·sel·lat·ed, tes·sel·lat·ing.

to form of small squares or blocks, as floors or pavements; form or arrange in a checkered or mosaic pattern.

adjective

Origin of tessellate

1785–95; < Latin tessellātus mosaic, equivalent to tessell(a) small square stone (diminutive of tessera tessera) + -ātus -ate1

British Dictionary definitions for tessellate

tessellate
/ (ˈtɛsɪˌleɪt) /

verb

(tr) to construct, pave, or inlay with a mosaic of small tiles
(intr) (of identical shapes) to fit together exactly triangles will tessellate but octagons will not

Word Origin for tessellate

C18: from Latin tessellātus checked, from tessella small stone cube, from tessera