motley

 
Pronunciation: /ˈmɒtli/

adjective (motlier, motliest)

  • 1incongruously varied in appearance or character; disparate: a motley crew of discontents and zealots
  • 2 archaic (of clothing) made up of a variety of colours: they wore the motley coat of jesters

noun

  • 1 [usually in singular] an incongruous mixture: a motley of interacting interest groups
  • 2 [mass noun] historical the multicoloured costume of a jester: life-size mannequins in full motley

Origin:

late Middle English: of unknown origin; perhaps ultimately related to mote