Definition

A decorative design made by fitting together pieces of different materials, often wood, to create a pattern or image.

Example

The artist created a beautiful intarsia piece that showcased intricate floral designs.

Conversation

I just saw an amazing piece of intarsia art at the gallery.

Oh really? I love how intricate those designs can be.

Yeah, it's fascinating how they create such depth with just wood.

Totally! I should try making some intarsia myself one day.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Intarsia comes from the Italian word 'intarsiare', which means to inlay or to ornament with inlaid work. The term itself is derived from the Latin 'interserere' (meaning to insert or intersperse) and the suffix '-ia' (indicating a state or condition). Thus, intarsia refers to the technique of inserting different materials into a surface to create a decorative pattern or image.

Memory Tip

Imagine the process of 'inserting' ('interserere') various materials to create a beautiful design — that's what intarsia is all about.

Visually Confused Words