spot

Definition

A round or irregular patch on the surface of a thing having a different color, texture etc. and generally round in shape.

Etymology

From Middle English spot, spotte, partially from Middle Dutch spotte (“spot, speck”), and partially merging with Middle English splot, from Old English splott (“spot, plot of land”), from Proto-West Germanic *splott, from Proto-Germanic *spluttaz (“segment”), from Proto-Indo-European *splt-no- (“an off-split, segment”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)pel- (“to split”). Cognate with North Frisian spot (“speck, piece of ground”), Low German spot (“speck”), Old Norse spotti (“small piece”). See also splot, splotch.

Example Sentences

• "The leopard is noted for the spots of color in its fur."
• "Why do ladybugs have spots?"
• "I have tried everything, and I can’t get this spot out."