Pied

/paɪd/ adjective

Definition

Having patches or spots of two or more different colors, especially black and white.

Etymology

From Middle English 'pide', related to the magpie bird (which has black and white plumage). The word comes from Old French 'pie', meaning magpie, and entered English to describe anything with that distinctive mixed coloring.

Kelly Says

The Pied Piper of Hamelin is famous partly because 'pied' (his multicolored outfit) made him visually striking and memorable—colors that stand out actually make better stories in our minds.

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