stipple

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to draw, paint, engrave, or shade using many small dots or short marks

   The illustrator used a fine pen to stipple shadows across the figure's face.

2. 2
   verb

   to cover or mark a surface with scattered spots, producing a speckled or mottled effect

   From above, the crowd stippled the road with thousands of dark figures.

3. 3
   noun

   a pattern, texture, or shading made from small dots or marks

   Fine stipple gave the printed portrait a soft, graded shadow.

Probably borrowed from Dutch stippel, 'small dot,' related to stip, 'point or speck.' The noun first referred to dots or short touches in engraving and painting; the verb broadened to any surface or scene scattered with small contrasting marks.

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