motley

English

/ˈmɒtli/

adj
Definitions
  • Comprising greatly varied elements, to the point of incongruity; heterogeneous.
  • Having many colours; variegated.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English motle derived from motteley (parti-colored) derived from Old English mot (speck, atom, mote, grain of sand, particle).

Origin

Old English

mot

Gloss

speck, atom, mote, grain of sand, particle

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms