Speckled

/ˈspɛkəld/ adjective

Definition

covered with small spots or marks of color that are different from the background.

Etymology

From Middle Dutch 'spekkel' (spot). Entered English in the 16th century. The '-ed' ending marks it as an adjective meaning 'having specks.'

Kelly Says

Speckled patterns in nature are often camouflage—birds and insects evolved spots and flecks because they break up the outline of the body, making predators' eyes skip right over them.

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