mottle

¹mot·tle

noun \ˈmä-t^əl\

Definition of MOTTLE

1

: a colored spot

2

a : a surface having colored spots or blotches b : the arrangement of such spots or blotches on a surface

3

: mosaic 5

— mot·tled \-t^əld\ adjective

Examples of MOTTLE

1. <canvases covered with streaks and mottles>

Origin of MOTTLE

probably back-formation from motley

First Known Use: 1676

Related to MOTTLE

Synonyms: blotch, dapple, dot, eyespot, fleck, spot, patch, pip, point, speck, speckle, splotch

Related Words: birthmark, freckle, mole; blob, blot, mark, smear, smudge, smutch, stain; spatter, splash; polka dot

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Other Fine Arts Terms

Gothic, baroque, bas-relief, limn, oeuvre, pastiche, rococo, sfumato

Rhymes with MOTTLE

bottle, dottle, glottal, pottle, ratel, throttle, wattle