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Entry 5 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Motley

/mät'-lē/ · Mot·ley · IPA /ˈmɑtli/
01 a. Variegated in color; consisting of different colors; dappled; party-colored; as, a motley coat.
  1. 1.
    Variegated in color; consisting of different colors; dappled; party-colored; as, a motley coat.
  2. 2.
    Wearing motley or party-colored clothing. See Motley, n., 1. See: Motley
  3. 3.
    Composed of different or various parts; heterogeneously made or mixed up; discordantly composite; as, motley style.
02 n. A combination of distinct colors; esp., the party-colored cloth, or clothing, worn by the professional fool.
  1. 1.
    A combination of distinct colors; esp., the party-colored cloth, or clothing, worn by the professional fool.
  2. 2.
    Hence, a jester, a fool.[Obs.]
Phrases & compounds
Man of motley — a fool.