speckle

American  

[spek-uhl] / ˈspɛk əl /

noun

1. a small speck, spot, or mark, as on skin.

2. speckled coloring or marking.

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verb (used with object)

speckled, speckling

1. to mark with or as with speckles.

speckle British  

/ ˈspɛkəl /

noun

1. a small or slight mark usually of a contrasting colour, as on the skin, a bird's plumage, or eggs

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verb

1. (tr) to mark with or as if with speckles

Other Word Forms

• speckled adjective
• speckledness noun
• unspeckled adjective

Etymology

Origin of speckle

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; speck, -le

Example Sentences

Seven native rattlesnake species are in California, including the Mojave, Western diamondback, red diamond, Southern Pacific, Northern Pacific, Great Basin, and the speckled rattlesnake.

From Los Angeles Times

Three days after we got there I answered the front door knocker and there stood Karel, coal dust from the train trip still speckling his shoulders.

From Literature

We cut through hills full of scrubby bushes and speckled with orange poppies.

From Literature

The ground is made of that speckled squishy stuff that means he’s not likely to get hurt even if he falls, and the gate is closed, so he’s contained in here.

From Literature

I was standing in the driveway facing the woodpile and saw Hawk launch herself like a speckled red missile.

From Literature

Related Words

• mottle