i Register
In some senses, motley is marked as figuratively. Watch for register when choosing this word.
adj
Comprising greatly varied elements, to the point of incongruity.
I met a fool i' th' forest, / A motley' fool.
Carried somehow, somewhither, for some reason, on these surging floods, were these travelers,[…]. Even such a boat as the Mount Vernon offered a total deck space so cramped as to leave secrecy or privacy well out of the question, even had the motley and democratic assemblage of passengers been disposed to accord either.
Having many colours; variegated.
noun
An incongruous mixture.
A jester's multicoloured clothes.
A jester; a fool.
Wil you be married, Motley?
Alas, 'tis true, I have gone here and there, / And made myself a motley to the view, […]
verb
To give something a patchwork appearance.
To make something multicolored, variegated, or diverse in character.