motley

Etymology

From Middle English motle, from Anglo-Norman motteley (“parti-colored”), from Old English mot (“speck”). Doublet of mote. The English word can be analysed as mottle + -y.

adj

  1. Comprising greatly varied elements, to the point of incongruity.
  2. Having many colours; variegated.

noun

  1. An incongruous mixture.
  2. A jester's multicoloured clothes.
  3. (by extension) A jester; a fool.

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