I. ˈmät-lē adjective
Etymology: Middle English, perhaps from mot mote, speck
Date: 14th century
1. : variegated in color
a motley coat
2. : composed of diverse often incongruous elements
a motley crowd
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English, probably from motley (I)
Date: 14th century
1. : a woolen fabric of mixed colors made in England between the 14th and 17th centuries
2. : a garment made of motley ; especially : the characteristic dress of the professional fool
3. : jester , fool
4. : a mixture especially of incongruous elements