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

She crouched down to look at a cluster of black toadstool mushrooms speckled with blue dots.

From Literature

Besson’s “Dracula” is over the top, highly stylized and speckled with outrageous creatures, visual effects and a plot that somehow connects Count Dracula to the centennial anniversary of the French Revolution.

From Los Angeles Times

Some were pure white, some white with silver manes, some silver with speckles of white across the neck and flank.

From Literature

Growing U.S. output, coupled with a surge in imports from Canada and elsewhere, eventually dimmed Venezuela’s role as a supplier to refiners speckling the Gulf Coast.

From The Wall Street Journal

The signature speckled edges and thumb indexes are preserved, helping to make the volume self-consciously display-friendly.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• mottle