| Tessera (n.) 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. Thesaurus Entries ID card, badge, calligram, calling card, card, check, checker, checkerboard, checkerwork, chessboard, colors in patches, countermark, countersign, crazy-work, credentials, dog tag, harlequin, identification, identification badge, identification tag, initials, inlay, insert, insertion, inset, letter of introduction, marquetry, monogram, mosaic, open sesame, parquet, parquetry, password, patchwork, plaid, press card, secret grip, serial number, shibboleth, signature, tartan, tessellation, tesserae, token, variegated pattern, visiting card, watchword |