speckle

[ spek-uhl ]

/ ˈspɛk əl /

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See synonyms for: speckle / speckled on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

speckled coloring or marking.

verb (used with object), speck·led, speck·ling.

to mark with or as with speckles.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of speckle

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

OTHER WORDS FROM speckle

speck·led·ness, nounun·speck·led, adjective

Words nearby speckle

specimen plant, speciosity, specious, specious present, speck, speckle, speckled trout, speckled wood, speckle interferometry, speckle pattern, specs

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use speckle in a sentence

At that point the technology was advancing, and they progressed from speckle imaging to adaptive optics—a more precise technique to remove Earth’s atmospheric disturbance for sharper, steadier images.
Skywatcher|Anne-Marie Corley, SM ’09|October 27, 2021|MIT Technology Review
The markings differ greatly among species, ranging from small speckles near the wing’s base to extensive bands or panels spread across the entire wing.
Climate change may rob male dragonfly wings of their dark spots|Jake Buehler|July 14, 2021|Science News
Rather than producing a crisp, steady beam, the laser casts a fuzzy patch of light full of randomly flickering speckles of brightness.
A new laser-based random number generator is the fastest of its kind|Maria Temming|February 25, 2021|Science News
The same basic idea applies if you’re trying to pull up the shadows without introducing lots of ugly speckles known as digital noise.
How and when to shoot with Apple’s hidden new photo format|Stan Horaczek|December 16, 2020|Popular-Science

A speckle-breasted thrush perched on a corner of the grey wall and poured his heart out.
Penelope's Experiences in Scotland|Kate Douglas Wiggin
In the systems published by Speckle of Strassburg in 1589 we find a distinct advance.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 6|Various
Then Grannie Malone put the broom under her and tried to lift her from her perch, but old Speckle had made up her mind to stay.
The Irish Twins|Lucy Fitch Perkins
Eileen was flapping her apron in another, while Grannie Malone chased old Speckle with the broom.
The Irish Twins|Lucy Fitch Perkins
Speckle was ready at the time set by Henny, who soon found a house and was back in an hour's time.
The Chickens of Fowl Farm|Lena E. Barksdale

British Dictionary definitions for speckle

speckle

/ (ˈspɛkəl) /

noun

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

verb

(tr) to mark with or as if with speckles

Derived forms of speckle

speckled, adjective

Word Origin for speckle

C15: from Middle Dutch spekkel; see speck

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

speckle

Origin of speckle

OTHER WORDS FROM speckle

Words nearby speckle

Words related to speckle

How to use speckle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for speckle

Derived forms of speckle

Word Origin for speckle