Definition: Since few people bake hairy pies (intentionally) any more, this word obviously does not mean what it seems to mean; it means having patches of different colors, particularly black and white spots. It is used most frequently in reference to animals, as in "piebald magpie"—what does that make you think of? It is also used to refer to any motley mixture of mongrel qualities, as the English language, with words from almost every language on earth, is as piebald a language as ever there was.

Usage: As you see from the definition, few words in English are more misleading than "piebald" ("magpie" being one that does). The qualitative noun is "piebaldness" and the adverb would be "piebaldly," were there a use for it. This adjective may itself be used as a noun to refer to a piebald horse or other animal as well as a verb meaning "acquiring patches of different colors."

Suggested Usage: As a metaphor, today's word is used mainly in the sense of a patchwork, "We have such a piebald array of attitudes on our team, it is difficult to complete tasks on time." But don't forget "piebald" also works as a verb, "First my head balded in my 50's, now my skin is piebalding."

Etymology: From "pie," a derivative of Latin pica "magpie" + "bald" from "balled" in the sense of having been made look like a ball. [If you are about to eat, stop reading here.] "Magpie" itself is the shorter form of "maggot-pie." (You were warned.)