dappled

UK: /ˈdæp^əld/ US: /ˈdæpəld/ ,(dap′əld)

From the verb dapple: (⇒ conjugate)

dappled is: ⓘ

v past

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

dap•pled /ˈdæpəld/   adj. 

1. marked with spots of a different shade or color from the background;
   having patches of shade and light:
   the dappled sea.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

dap•pled  (dap′əld), adj. 

1. having spots of a different shade, tone, or color from the background;
   mottled.

• Scandinavian; akin to Old Norse depill spot
• Middle English, probably 1350–1400

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

dap•ple  (dap′əl), n., adj., v., -pled, -pling. 
n. 

1. a spot or mottled marking, usually occurring in clusters.
2. Zoology an animal with a mottled skin or coat.

adj. 

3. dappled;
   spotted:
   a dapple horse.

v.t., v.i. 

4. to mark or become marked with spots.

• probably back formation from dappled 1545–55

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

dapple / ˈdæp^əl/ verb

1. to mark or become marked with spots or patches of a different colour; mottle

noun

1. mottled or spotted markings
2. a dappled horse, etc

adjective

1. marked with dapples or spots

Etymology: 14th Century: of unknown origin