dapple

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to mark or cover something with contrasting spots or irregular patches of color, light, or shade

   Sunlight dappled the forest floor through the leaves.

2. 2
   noun

   a small contrasting spot or mottled patch, especially on an animal's coat

   A pale dapple marked the horse's dark shoulder.

Of uncertain origin. The element appears in Middle English dapple-grey and may be a reshaping of apple-grey, comparing apple-like spots, or may be related to Icelandic depill, meaning a spot. The noun and verb developed from the earlier color description.

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