speckle

C1 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈspɛkəl/ UK /ˈspekəl/ See IPA manual

Freq #163278

Meanings

1

noun
a small spot or mark of a contrasting color

A dark speckle appeared near the edge of the leaf.
2

verb
to mark or cover something with small spots of contrasting color

Drops of blue paint speckle the white floor.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a small spot or mark of a... spot fleck dot

2 verb · to mark or cover something... spot fleckmottle

Word family

Forms speckled

Derived forms speckly

Related forms speckmottle

Etymology

The noun comes from Middle Dutch spekkel 'small spot or stain.' The English verb was formed from the noun in the late sixteenth century.

Topics

Describing Qualities

External links

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