speckle

[spek-uhl]

noun

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

2. speckled coloring or marking.

verb (used with object)

speckled, speckling 

1. to mark with or as with speckles.

speckle

/ ˈspɛkəl /

noun

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

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• speckled adjective
• speckledness noun
• unspeckled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of speckle¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of speckle¹

C15: from Middle Dutch spekkel; see _speck

Example Sentences

In his larger home – with patios and several rooms – a group of speckled hens fights for rooftop space between the solar panels.

From BBC

One of them kept her eyes glued to Palacios as she reached sneakily for the cat’s speckled fur.

From Los Angeles Times

“One of the things that we really wanted to feature as well is those green and white speckled plastic plates that you get at casual restaurants,” she said.

From Salon

The epicenter of the community is Westwood, where the neighborhood’s namesake boulevard is speckled with storefronts covered in Persian script.

From Los Angeles Times

These pants were usually khakis speckled with paint and cigarette ash.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• mottle