Definition
Mosaic is a disease symptom characterized by non-uniform coloration, with intermingled normal, light green and yellowish patches, usually caused by a virus; often used interchangeably with mottle.
Etymology. c.1400, from O.Fr. mosaicq "mosaic work," from M.L. musaicum "mosaic work, work of the Muses," neut. of musaicus "of the Muses," from L. Musa. Medieval mosaics were often dedicated to the Muses. The word formed in M.L. as though from Gk., but the (late) Gk. word for "mosaic work" was mouseion.