speckle

[ spek-uhl ]
See synonyms for: specklespeckled on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. a small speck, spot, or mark, as on skin.

  2. speckled coloring or marking.

verb (used with object),speck·led, speck·ling.
  1. to mark with or as with speckles.

Origin of speckle

1
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at speck, -le

Other words from speckle

  • speck·led·ness, noun
  • un·speck·led, adjective

Words Nearby speckle

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use speckle in a sentence

  • In the systems published by speckle of Strassburg in 1589 we find a distinct advance.

  • Then Grannie Malone put the broom under her and tried to lift her from her perch, but old speckle had made up her mind to stay.

    The Irish Twins | Lucy Fitch Perkins
  • Eileen was flapping her apron in another, while Grannie Malone chased old speckle with the broom.

    The Irish Twins | Lucy Fitch Perkins
  • speckle was ready at the time set by Henny, who soon found a house and was back in an hour's time.

    The Chickens of Fowl Farm | Lena E. Barksdale

British Dictionary definitions for speckle

speckle

/ (ˈspɛkəl) /


noun
  1. a small or slight mark usually of a contrasting colour, as on the skin, a bird's plumage, or eggs

verb
  1. (tr) to mark with or as if with speckles

Origin of speckle

1
C15: from Middle Dutch spekkel; see speck

Derived forms of speckle

  • speckled, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012