DEFINITIONS

mottle

[ mot-l ]
/ ˈmɒt l /

verb (used with object), mot·tled, mot·tling.

to mark or diversify with spots or blotches of a different color or shade.

noun

a diversifying spot or blotch of color.
mottled coloring or pattern.

Words related to mottle

stipple, freckle, sprinkle, speck, variegate, spot, flake, patch, fleck, mosaic, dapple, dot, besprinkle, pepper, bespeckle, brindle, punctate

Words nearby mottle

motrin, motser, mott, motte, mottelson, mottle, mottled, mottled enamel, motto, mottramite, motty

Origin of mottle

First recorded in 1670–80; probably back formation from motley

OTHER WORDS FROM mottle

mot·tle·ment, nounmot·tler, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for mottling

British Dictionary definitions for mottling

mottle
/ (ˈmɒtəl) /

verb

(tr) to colour with streaks or blotches of different shades

noun

a mottled appearance, as of the surface of marble
one streak or blotch of colour in a mottled surface

Word Origin for mottle

C17: back formation from motley
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012