motley

• Décrit un groupe de personnes ou de choses qui sont très différentes les unes des autres et de composition mélangée.

Describes a group of people or things that are very different from each other and of mixed types.

1. Diverse or variedC1formal

   Consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds; varied in appearance or character.

   bigarré / hétéroclite

   • The group was a motley collection of artists, writers, and musicians.
   • He wore a motley assortment of mismatched socks.
   • The team was a motley crew of volunteers from different backgrounds.

   Synonymesassorteddiverseeclecticheterogeneousmiscellaneousmixedpatchworksundryvaried

   Antonymesconsistenthomogeneoussameuniform

2. MulticoloredC1formal

   Having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly; variegated.

   bigarré, multicolore

   • The jester wore a motley costume of red, yellow, and blue patches.
   • The garden was filled with motley flowers of every hue.
   • Her motley scarf was knitted from many different yarns.

   Synonymesbrindledcheckereddappledmottledmulticoloredparticoloredpiebaldpiedvariegated

   Antonymesmonochromaticplainsoliduniform

• Nom désignant une collection variée ou mélangée de choses différentes, ou un tissu ou vêtement multicolore, en particulier celui porté par un bouffon de cour.

A noun referring to a diverse or varied collection of different sorts of things, or a multicolored fabric or garment, especially one worn by a court jester.

1. Diverse collectionC1formal

   A group or collection of various different types of things or people.

   Collection variée

   • The market offered a motley of goods from around the world.
   • The party was a motley of artists, musicians, and writers.
   • He gathered a motley of tools for the repair job.

   Synonymesassortmentconglomerationhodgepodgejumblemedleymiscellanymixturepatchworkpotpourrivariety

   Antonymeshomogeneitysamenessuniformity

2. Jester's garmentC2formalbritish

   A traditional multicolored costume worn by a court jester or fool.

   costume de bouffon

   • The jester danced in his bright motley.
   • He dressed in motley for the medieval festival.
   • The court fool's motley was patched with many colors.

3. Multicolored fabricC2formalbritish

   A type of woolen cloth woven from mixed colored threads, popular in medieval England.

   Étoffe bariolée

   • The merchant sold bolts of motley at the fair.
   • Motley was commonly used for servants' livery in the 14th century.
   • The fabric was a coarse motley of red and blue threads.

• Verbe signifiant rendre quelque chose varié ou multicolore, ou diversifier en mêlant des éléments de différentes sortes.

A verb meaning to give a varied or multicolored appearance to something, or to diversify.

1. Make diverse or variedC2formal

   To introduce variety or diversity into something, making it more heterogeneous.

   rendre varié

   • The curator motleyed the exhibition by including works from different eras.
   • She motleyed her wardrobe with pieces from various cultures.
   • The chef motleyed the menu by adding international dishes.

   Synonymesdiversifyintermixmixvariegatevary

   Antonymesuniformize

2. Color with different colorsC2formal

   To apply multiple colors to something, creating a patchwork or multicolored effect.

   Colorer de plusieurs couleurs

   • The artist motleyed the canvas with vibrant hues.
   • Children motleyed the paper with crayons of every shade.
   • The dyer motleyed the fabric using natural pigments.

   Synonymesdapplefleckmottlestreakvariegate