Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MOT'LEY, a. [W. ysmot, a spot; ysmotiaw, to spot, to dapple; Sp. motear, id.; Eng. mote.]

1. Variegated in color; consisting of different colors; dappled; as, a motley coat. Shak.
2. Composed of different or various parts, characters or kinds; diversified; as, a motley style. And doubts of motley hue. Dryden. [This word primarily means spotted; but it may signify also striped.]