tesselata

pl. [Neut. pl. of Lat. tes sell at us te elated.] Zool.: A sub-order of Crinoidea, in which the radial plates of the calyx are immovably jointed together without articulation. těs-sěl-at-ěd, těs-sěl-lāt-ěd, a . [TESSELLAR.] 1. Ord. Lang.: Formed by inlaying differently colored materials in little squares, triangles, or other geometrical figures, or by mosaic work; especially applied to a pavement composed of square dies or te ere made of baked clay or stone, generally of various colors, and forming regular figures. It was much employed by the ancients, and Roman remains furnish a large number of these specimens of art. It is still much in vogue in the East, particularly at Damascus. "A cabinet so variously inlaid; such a piece of diversified mosaic; such a te elated pavement without cement." -Burke: American Taxation . 2. Bot .: Having the colors arranged in small squares, so as to have some resemblance to a te elated pavement; variegated by squares; checkered. te elated-tile, s. A tile made of clay of a particular color, or mixed with coloring matters and formed into flat cakes by cutting or pre ing, and used for making a te elated pavement.