motley
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1mot·ley
adjective \ˈmät-lē\Definition of MOTLEY
1
: variegated in color <a motley coat>
2
: composed of diverse often incongruous elements <a motley crowd>
See Examples of MOTLEY
- a motley collection of junk
- a motley crew of musicians
Origin of MOTLEY
Middle English, perhaps from mot mote, speck
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to MOTLEY
- Synonyms
- assorted, eclectic, heterogeneous, indiscriminate, kitchen-sink, magpie, mixed, miscellaneous, patchwork, piebald, promiscuous, raggle-taggle, ragtag, varied
- Antonyms
- homogeneous
Other Clothing Terms
2motley
nounDefinition of MOTLEY
1
: a woolen fabric of mixed colors made in England between the 14th and 17th centuries
2
: a garment made of motley; especially : the characteristic dress of the professional fool
4
: a mixture especially of incongruous elements
Examples of MOTLEY
- <the motleys with their colorful outfits>
- <a motley of old junk stored in the attic>
Origin of MOTLEY
Middle English, probably from 1motley
First Known Use: 14th century
Mot·ley
biographical name \ˈmät-lē\Definition of MOTLEY
John Lothrop 1814–1877 Am. hist.
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