tessera

[ tes-er-uh ]

noun

, plural tes·ser·ae [tes, -, uh, -ree].

1. one of the small pieces used in mosaic work.
2. a small square of bone, wood, or the like, used in ancient times as a token, tally, ticket, etc.

tessera

/ ˈtɛsərə /

noun

1. a small square tile of stone, glass, etc, used in mosaics
2. a die, tally, etc, used in classical times, made of bone or wood

Derived Forms

• ˈtesseral, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tessera¹

1640–50; < Latin < Greek (Ionic) tésseres four

Word History and Origins

Origin of tessera¹

C17: from Latin, from Ionic Greek tesseres four

Example Sentences

The mission would include three orbiters, an aerobot to float in the clouds and a lander that could drill and analyze samples of tessera rocks.

From Science News

The tessera, or six-sided figure, bore on its additional faces the numbers two and five.

From Project Gutenberg

Tessera, tes′e-ra, n. one of the small square tiles or cut stones used in forming tessellated pavements:—pl.

From Project Gutenberg

These men are obliged to deliver the tablet (tessera) to the Tribunes before dark.

From Project Gutenberg

So bidding farewell to Petronius, he went hurriedly to the overseer of the "Putrid Pits" for his tessera.

From Project Gutenberg

Let her take my tessera; she can wrap her head in a cloth, cover her shoulders with a mantle, and pass out.

From Project Gutenberg