dapple

[dap-uhl]

noun

1. a spot or mottled marking, usually occurring in clusters.

2. an animal with a mottled skin or coat.

adjective

1. dappled; spotted.

   a dapple horse.

verb (used with or without object)

dappled, dappling 

1. to mark or become marked with spots.

dapple

/ ˈdæpəl /

verb

1. to mark or become marked with spots or patches of a different colour; mottle

noun

1. mottled or spotted markings

2. a dappled horse, etc

adjective

1. marked with dapples or spots

Word History and Origins

Origin of dapple¹

First recorded in 1545–55; probably back formation from dappled

Word History and Origins

Origin of dapple¹

C14: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

The Dalmatian fern, with its dappled fronds and alert bearing.

Read more on Literature

A splattering of white on one corner of each building mimicked the dappling of sun on the water.

Read more on Literature

Filming in woods near Nara, and then in the Komyoji forest in Kyoto prefecture, Miyagawa created a latticework of sunlight with tree branches and leaves forming a living carpet of dappled shadows.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Picnic in our backpacks, my husband and I hiked in from the Palomarin Headlands — about 2.5 miles — along cliffs where you can spot gray and humpback whales, and shaded paths where dappled shadows dance.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Every time he touches her, the rest of the world seems to disappear: The focus goes shallow, the fine hairs on Brie’s skin dapple in the light, her muscles creak as loudly as tectonic plates.

Read more on Los Angeles Times