dappling

Dappling is a descriptive term used to denote a pattern of small, irregular patches of color or light on a surface. The patches are usually round or oval, with a contrast between the patches and the surrounding area. Dappling may be the result of pigment distribution, genetic patterning, weathering, or the way light interacts with a surface, and it can be permanent or transient.

In animals, the term is most commonly applied to coat patterns. A dappled coat on a horse, for example, features lighter or darker circular patches scattered across a darker base coat. Dappled patterns can intensify with age, sun exposure, or certain grooming and breeding traits. The word is also used in reference to other animals with mottled fur or skin, and in breed descriptors such as dapple varieties in dogs and cattle.

In nature and the arts, “dappled” is frequently used to describe the effect of sunlight filtering through trees, creating patches of light and shade on the ground. This dappled light is a common motif in photography, painting, and literature for its soft, irregular pattern and atmospheric quality.

In botany and horticulture, dappling can describe leaves or petals that show a mottled or variegated appearance, whether due to genetic variation, disease, or environmental factors.

Etymology and usage: the term derives from dapple, meaning a small patch or mark of color. Dappling is the noun form describing the pattern itself or the presence of such markings in an organism or scene.