pied

[ pahyd ]

adjective

1. having patches of two or more colors, as various birds and other animals:

   a pied horse.

2. wearing pied clothing.

pied

/ paɪd /

adjective

1. having markings of two or more colours

Word History and Origins

Origin of pied¹

1350–1400; Middle English; pie ² (with reference to the black and white plumage of the magpie) + -ed ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of pied¹

C14: from pie ²; an allusion to the magpie's black-and-white colouring

Example Sentences

“I took on this odd role of being the pied piper of bocce,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Smith oozes upside, and he’s passionate about the Ducks — a bonus in that he could be a pied piper who attracts other recruits.

From Seattle Times

There’s such unbridled optimism and positivity about him, Teti’s friends say, he’s something of a pied piper in the park, where he’s been known to dance a jig while playing his harmonica.

From Los Angeles Times

This pied piper who enchanted some of the world's biggest and supposedly smartest investors has moved on.

From BBC

The pied tamarin has an extremely narrow geographic range in central Brazil, much of which now lies within the city of Manaus.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• marbled
• streaked