Definition

Adjective: - Having a coat or pattern marked by streaks, spots, or patches of a darker color, typically grey or brown, on a lighter background. This term is often used to describe the fur of animals, especially cats and dogs.

Usage

The adjective "brindled" is used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like "is" or "was") to describe an animal's coloration. It is a specific term from zoology and animal husbandry.

Examples

• The old dog had a brindled coat of grey and black.
• We adopted a brindled kitten from the shelter.
• The cow's hide was brindled with patches of brown and white.

Advanced Usage

• "Brindled" vs. "Brindle": "Brindle" is a noun referring to the pattern itself or an adjective with the same meaning as "brindled." "Brindled" is the more common adjectival form.
  • The breed standard calls for a brindle pattern. (Noun)
  • He owns a brindle bulldog. (Adjective, synonymous with "brindled")

Variants and Related Words

• Brindle (noun/adjective): The pattern or an animal having a brindled coat.
• Brindleness (noun, rare): The state or quality of being brindled.

Synonyms

• Streaked: Marked with long, thin lines of color.
• Mottled: Marked with spots or smears of color.
• Tabby (specifically for cats): Having a striped, dotted, or brindled coat.

Antonyms

• Solid: Of a uniform color.
• Unmarked: Having no distinctive spots or streaks.

Related Phrases/Idioms

There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs specifically using "brindled." It is primarily a descriptive term.

Adjective

1. having a grey or brown streak or a pattern or a patchy coloring; used especially of the patterned fur of cats