Motley
From Wacklepedia - The Free Encyclopedia
Motley refers to the traditional
costume of the
Court jester or the
Harlequin character in
Commedia dell'arte. The latter wears a patchwork of red, green, and blue diamonds that is still a
fashion motif.
The word motley is thought by the Oxford English Dictionary to be cognate with medley, although the unrelated mottled has also contributed to the meaning. The word is most commonly used as an adjective or noun, but is also seen as a verb and adverb.