(mot′lē) adjective
1. Variegated in color; parti–colored.
2. Composed of heterogeneous elements.
3. Clothed in varicolored garments.
—noun
1. A dress of various colors, such as was formerly worn by court jesters.
2. A jester or fool in motley garments.
3. A medley, as of colors. [ME motteley; origin uncertain]

(mot′lē), John Lothrop,
1814–77, U. S. historian.
MOTLEY
(n. def. 1)