spotted

Spotted is an adjective and a past tense verb with several distinct uses. As an adjective, spotted describes something marked by spots—discrete colored patches on a surface. This can refer to animals, textiles, ceramics, or plant patterns. The size, color, and arrangement of spots vary by species or sample, and spots may serve functions such as camouflage, signaling, or mate attraction.

As a verb, spotted is the past tense of spot, meaning to notice, detect, or identify something. It can also mean to observe someone or something in view, as in spotting a friend in a crowd.

In biology, many organisms have spotted patterns; these can provide camouflage by breaking up the outline against a mottled background or serve in signaling to conspecifics. Well-known examples include the leopard and the jaguar with spotted coats, the Dalmatian’s white coat with black spots, the spotted hyena, the Spotted owl, and the Spotted salamander.

In medicine, spotted fever refers to several diseases in the spotted fever group caused by Rickettsia bacteria, the best-known being Rocky Mountain spotted fever, transmitted by ticks. Symptoms typically include fever and a characteristic rash.

In horticulture and art, spotted patterns occur in flowers, variegated foliage, and decorative designs, where intentional spotting may enhance visual interest.

Overall, spotted denotes appearance, perception, or detection tied to spots, with meanings that span description, observation, and biology.