-gād.ə̇d, -gātə̇d adjective
Etymology: from past participle of variegate
: varied
a variegated throng — Adrian Bell
especially : marked with different colors or tints in spots, streaks, or stripes
a variegated tulip
Synonyms:
parti-colored , motley , checkered , checked , pied , piebald , skewbald , dappled , freaked : variegated indicates only variation in the color of a single piece, object, or specimen without indication of what colors or what forms — spots, streaks, blotches — are involved
disliked the variegated hues of the buildings — they reminded him of the garish brillance in the lower town — Norman Douglas
parti-colored may stress not so much the presence of different colors as their clear and distinct presentation. motley in most uses is likely to suggest presence of three or more colors in very noticeable diversity in a chance or very capricious arrangement
birds of motley colors and varied cries — G.K.Chesterton
the motley dress of a court jester
checkered indicates a regular alternation of rectangular shapes different in color or shade like a checkerboard, especially an alternation between black and white or dark and light
the chequered fabric of Constable's pictures, their deep undertones overlaid with variegated passages of crumbling impasto and strewn with particles of white light — Robin Ironside
checked indicates much the same thing but is admissible in situations where figures are less certainly rectangular; it is common in reference to fabrics
a gambler's checked vest
pied suggests patches, blotches, or spots of colors on a contrasting background, especially the white on black of a magpie's plumage. piebald suggests the same coloration, especially in reference to the markings of a horse or dog, and skewbald indicates an arrangement of spots and background involving white and some color other than black
piebald strictly means spotted white and black and skewbald white and any color but black — G.G.Simpson
dappled describes a marking with small spots, patches, or specks of color or shade differing from that of the background
it lay dappled with sun and shade, still, clear, and irresistible — Susan Ertz
freaked may suggest bold streaks of contrasting color
tall bare fells, capped and freaked with snow — John Brophy
the woods were freaked and pied with fresh transparent leaves and flowers — Elinor Wylie