fleck

[ flek ]

noun

1. a speck; a small bit:

   a fleck of dirt.

2. a spot or small patch of color, light, etc.:

   the dapple mare with flecks of gray.

3. a spot or mark on the skin, as a freckle.

verb (used with object)

1. to mark with a fleck or flecks; spot; dapple.

   Synonyms: daub, speck, dot, spatter, bespeckle

fleck

/ flɛk /

noun

1. a small marking or streak; speckle
2. a small particle; speck

   a fleck of dust

verb

1. Alsoflecker tr to mark or cover with flecks; speckle

Other Words From

• fleckless adjective
• fleckless·ly adverb
• flecky adjective
• un·flecked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fleck¹

1350–1400; Middle English flekked spotted; akin to Old Norse flekkr spot, streak, Old High German flec ( German Fleck ), Middle Low German, Middle Dutch vlecken to soil

Word History and Origins

Origin of fleck¹

C16: probably from Old Norse flekkr stain, spot; related to Old High German flec spot, plot of land

Example Sentences

In Shasta and Nevada counties, flecks of ink marring the bar codes printed on some ballots prevented voting machines made by Hart InterCivic from correctly reading those ballots.

From Los Angeles Times

It threatened to sully her white dress flecked with rainbows.

From Los Angeles Times

"He was shouting and he was so close up in my face, I had to close my eyes as his spit flecks were hitting me," he said.

From BBC

In his front yard, Rains kept a shaker table and other equipment to sift soil for flecks of gold.

From Los Angeles Times

Then sand the entire chair to remove any remaining flecks of paint and refresh the surface of the wood.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• mottle
• speckle