n. [ Cf. F. motte a clod, clump, or hillock. ] A clump of trees in a prairie. [ Local, U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Mottled p. pr. & vb. n. Mottling ] [ From Mottled. ] To mark with spots of different color, or shades of color, as if stained; to spot; to maculate. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A mottled appearance. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ From Motley. ] Marked with spots of different colors; variegated; spotted; as, mottled wood. “The mottled meadows.” Drayton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. the act of coloring with areas of different shades. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. A mottled pattern. [ PJC ]

n.; pl. Mottoes [ It. motto a word, a saying, L. muttum a mutter, a grunt, cf. muttire, mutire, to mutter, mumble; prob. of imitative origin. Cf. Mot a word. ] 1. (Her.) A sentence, phrase, or word, forming part of an heraldic achievment. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A sentence, phrase, or word, prefixed to an essay, discourse, chapter, canto, or the like, suggestive of its subject matter; a short, suggestive expression of a guiding principle; a maxim. [ 1913 Webster ]

It was the motto of a bishop eminent for his piety and good works, . . . “Serve God, and be cheerful.” Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Bearing or having a motto; as, a mottoed coat or device. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Full of, or consisting of, motes. [ Written also mottie. ] [ Scot. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The motty dust reek raised by the workmen. H. Miller. [ 1913 Webster ]