motley

英 ['mɒtlɪ] 美['mɑtli]
  • adj. 杂色的;混杂的;五颜六色的
  • n. 混杂;杂色衣服;小丑
  • n. (Motley)人名;(英)莫特利

词态变化


比较级: motlier;最高级: motliest;

助记提示


1. mottle <==> motley.
2. 同源词:mote => motley, mottle.

中文词源


motley 混杂的,杂色的

缩写自盎格鲁法语motteley,混杂的,可能来自mote,尘埃,微粒。即像尘埃一样的,引申词义混杂的,杂色的。

英文词源


motley (adj.)
late 14c., "parti-colored" (originally of fabric), from Anglo-French motteley, probably from Old English mot "speck" (see mote). But Klein's sources say probably from Gaulish. "Diversified in color," especially of a fool's dress. Hence, allusively, "a fool" (1600). As a noun meaning "cloth of mixed color" from late 14c.

双语例句


1. The room was filled with a motley collection of furniture and paintings.
屋子里摆满了五花八门的家具和绘画。

来自《权威词典》

2. His friends were a motley crew.
他的朋友三教九流全有.

来自《简明英汉词典》

3. The volunteers seem a motley crew.
志愿者里似乎什么人都有。

来自辞典例句

4. The motley company had increased to ten.
这群乌合之众已经增加到了十个人.

来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹

5. The room was soon filled with a motley assemblage.
不多一会儿,屋子里便挤满了形形色色的来开会的人.

来自辞典例句