Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having sections or patches of different colors, especially black and white: Describes an animal, particularly a horse, with a coat marked by irregular patches of two distinct colors, typically black and white.
   • Composed of a mixture of diverse or incongruous elements: Used figuratively to describe something made up of a varied, often mismatched, assortment of parts or people.

Usage Examples

• Literal (describing animals):
• Figurative (describing a mixed collection):

Advanced Usage

• "Piebald" as a noun (rare, chiefly historical): Can refer to a piebald animal, especially a horse.
• Used in formal or literary contexts to emphasize striking contrast or incongruous variety.

Variants and Related Words

• Pied (adj): Similar in meaning, often used for birds or other animals with black and white plumage/fur (e.g., ).
• Skewbald (adj): Specifically describes an animal, especially a horse, with irregular patches of white and a color (e.g., brown, bay).
• Motley (adj): Emphasizes a diverse, often jumbled, mixture; can also refer to a multicolored garment worn by a jester.
• Parti-colored (adj): Having different parts colored differently; variegated.

Synonyms

• Spotted
• Dappled
• Variegated
• Multicolored (for the figurative sense)
• Heterogeneous (for the figurative sense)

Antonyms

• Solid-colored
• Uniform
• Homogeneous (for the figurative sense)

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "A piebald crowd": A crowd made up of many different types of people.
• "Piebald history": A history composed of varied and contrasting events or elements.

Adjective

1. having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly
   • a jester dressed in motley
   • the painted desert
   • a particolored dress
   • a piebald horse
   • pied daisies