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English Dictionary

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 motley motley /ˈmɑːtli/

adjective

  1. Having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly  ( calico , motley , multi-color [American] , multi-colored [American] , multi-colour [Canadian, British] , multi-coloured [Canadian, British] , multicolor [American] , multicolored [American] , multicolour [Canadian, British] , multicoloured [Canadian, British] , painted , particolored [American] , particoloured [Canadian, British] , piebald , pied , varicolored [American] , varicoloured [Canadian, British] )
    having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly
     A jester dressed in motley
    a jester dressed in motley
     The painted desert
    the painted desert
     A particolored dress
    a particolored dress
     A piebald horse
    a piebald horse
     Pied daisies
    pied daisies
  2. Consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds  ( motley , assorted , miscellaneous , mixed , sundry )
    consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
     An arrangement of assorted spring flowers
    an arrangement of assorted spring flowers
     Assorted sizes
    assorted sizes
     Miscellaneous accessories
    miscellaneous accessories
     A mixed program of baroque and contemporary music
    a mixed program of baroque and contemporary music
     A motley crew
    a motley crew
     Sundry sciences commonly known as social
    sundry sciences commonly known as social

noun

  1. A multicolored woolen fabric woven of mixed threads in 14th to 17th century England  ( motley )
    a multicolored woolen fabric woven of mixed threads in 14th to 17th century England
  2. A garment made of motley (especially a court jester's costume)  ( motley )
    a garment made of motley (especially a court jester's costume)
  3. A collection containing a variety of sorts of things  ( miscellanea , miscellany , mixed bag , assortment , mixture , motley , potpourri , salmagundi , smorgasbord , variety )
    a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
     A great assortment of cars was on display
    a great assortment of cars was on display
     He had a variety of disorders
    he had a variety of disorders
     A veritable smorgasbord of religions
    a veritable smorgasbord of religions

verb

  1. Make motley; color with different colors  ( motley , parti-color [American] )
    make motley; color with different colors
  2. Make something more diverse and varied  ( motley , variegate , vary )
    make something more diverse and varied
     Vary the menu
    Vary the menu