1. (n.)tessera one of the small pieces used in mosaic work.
2. tessera a small square of bone, wood, or the like, used in ancient Rome as a token, tally, ticket, etc.
Etymology: (1640–50; < L, perh. shortening of Gk *tessarágōnos square)
Definition of 'tessera'
Princeton's WordNet
1. (noun)tessera a small square tile of stone or glass used in making mosaics
Definition of 'tessera'
Webster Dictionary
1. (noun)tessera a small piece of marble, glass, earthenware, or the like, having a square, or nearly square, face, used by the ancients for mosaic, as for making pavements, for ornamenting walls, and like purposes; also, a similar piece of ivory, bone, wood, etc., used as a ticket of admission to theaters, or as a certificate for successful gladiators, and as a token for various other purposes
Definitions of tessera 
