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)

, dap·pled, dap·pling.

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

Pink natural light dapples a river in one composition, while reflections of house lamps streak a dark lake in another.

From Washington Post

On Santa Cruz, book a spot at the remote, oak-dappled Del Norte backcountry camp.

From Outside Online

The dapple grays were fat, well fed beasts, and the coachman was old and rheumatic.

From Project Gutenberg

Here there are no mossy rocks or sheltering trees to dapple the scene with their brightness and shadow.

From Project Gutenberg

It was just as he was about to return to his dapple grays that he received a sudden shock.

From Project Gutenberg

What are these dark streaks which foul her white decks and dapple her brazen shields?

From Project Gutenberg

It was neither the fat buck nor the little two-toed horse with 193 dapple hide, but a young cow-buffalo.

From Project Gutenberg