tessellate

IPA/ˈtes.əl.eɪt/
IPA/ˈtes.əl.eɪt/

tessellate — verb

  • tessellatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • tessellates3rd person singular
  • tessellating-ing form
  • tessellatedpast simple

1. if shapes tessellate, they join edge to edge across a surface in a repeated desi

1.動詞不及物C2
釋義

if shapes tessellate, they join edge to edge across a surface in a repeated design with no gaps between them

例句

Only regular hexagons tessellate without leaving empty spaces on the page.

geometry: tessellate without leaving gaps

In math class, Zayd showed how triangles tessellate across a poster board.

pattern: shapes tessellate across a surface

同義詞
  • interlock

    focuses on pieces joining each other, not on filling a surface in a repeated pattern

  • tile

    can describe covering a surface with tiles; 'tessellate' here stresses exact fit with no gaps

反義詞
  • overlap

    pieces cover each other instead of meeting edge to edge

  • leave gaps

    describes shapes that do not fill the surface completely

文法句型

shapes tessellate

tessellate without leaving gaps

用法筆記

Usually used for flat shapes or tiles in maths, design, and pattern making. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense describes pieces fitting together by their shape, not a person decorating a surface with them.

2. to cover or decorate a surface by setting many small pieces into it as a repeate

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

to cover or decorate a surface by setting many small pieces into it as a repeated pattern

例句

Workers tessellated the courtyard floor with red and black tiles.

tessellate + surface + with + material

Nikhil plans to tessellate the garden bench with broken plates.

同義詞
  • inlay

    often used for material set into wood or metal rather than a full repeated tile pattern

  • tile

    more everyday and broader; 'tessellate' sounds more formal and pattern-focused

  • mosaic

    usually names the artwork or technique more than the action itself

反義詞
  • strip

    remove a decorative surface rather than add one

  • plain

    describes a surface left undecorated

文法句型

tessellate + surface + with + material

用法筆記

Usually takes a floor, wall, box, or other surface as the object, followed by the material with 'with'. Distinguish from sense 1: here someone actively arranges the pieces to decorate the surface.