motley

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly

   a jester dressed in motley

2. 2
   adj

   Comprising greatly varied elements, to the point of incongruity.

   I met a fool i' th' forest, / A motley' fool.

3. 3
   noun

   A jester; a fool.

   Wil you be married, Motley?

4. 4
   adj

   consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds

5. 5
   noun

   a multicolored woolen fabric woven of mixed threads in 14th to 17th century England

6. 6
   noun

   a garment made of motley (especially a court jester's costume)

7. 7
   noun

   a collection containing a variety of sorts of things

8. 8
   verb

   make 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.