mottle

noun mot·tle \ ˈmä-tᵊl \

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

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mottled

play \-tᵊld\ adjective

See mottle defined for kids

Examples of mottle in a Sentence

canvases covered with streaks and mottles

Origin and Etymology of mottle

probably back-formation from motley

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First Known Use: 1676

See Words from the same year

mottle Synonyms

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

Other Fine Arts Terms

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

mottle

verb

Definition of mottle

mottled; mottling play \ˈmät-liŋ, ˈmä-tᵊl-iŋ\

transitive verb

:to mark with spots or blotches of different color or shades of color as if stained

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mottler

play \ˈmät-lər, ˈmä-tᵊl-ər\ noun

Examples of mottle in a Sentence

old papers that were mottled by mold

Recent Examples of mottle from the Web

The virus must have wreaked damage, transforming a smooth, healthy liver into a leathery organ, mottled with nodules.

— carolyn y. johnson, chicagotribune.com, "High drug prices leave Louisiana considering asking for federal intervention," 3 July 2017
The Sundems' garage door is mottled with ball marks, the graffiti of a thousand games of Garage.

— steve rushin, SI.com, "How the toys and totems of the 1970s shaped a lifelong love of sports," 21 June 2017
While traditional balayage will often follow a formula with different sections, palm painting is freehanded to avoiding mottling for a sun-kissed, eat-your-heart-out-Gisele finish.

— lauren valenti, Marie Claire, "Palm Painting Will Give You the Summery Highlights of Your Dreams," 17 May 2017
What was once a teardrop below one eye now looks like a bruise or a birthmark, and scars mottle his hands.

— jonathan blitzer, The New Yorker, "The Deportees Taking Our Calls," 23 Jan. 2017
Smith’s mottled landscapes accentuate the fragmented nature of the child’s surreal journey.

— minh c. le, New York Times, "Il Sung Na’s ‘The Opposite Zoo,’ and More," 5 May 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mottle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of mottle

1602

mottle Synonyms

Synonyms

blotch, dapple, dot, fleck, freckle, marble, spot, pepper, shoot, speck, speckle, splotch, sprinkle, stipple

Related Words

blot, dye, stain; band, bar, streak, stripe; intersperse, set, stud; bespatter, spatter

Other Fine Arts Terms

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

Learn More about mottle

See words that rhyme with mottle Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mottle Spanish Central: Translation of mottle Nglish: Translation of mottle for Spanish speakers

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mottle

Definition of mottle

mottled

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Examples of mottle in a Sentence

Origin and Etymology of mottle

mottle Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Fine Arts Terms

mottle

Definition of mottle

mottler

Examples of mottle in a Sentence

Recent Examples of mottle from the Web

First Known Use of mottle

mottle Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Fine Arts Terms

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