spotted

Everyday

1. Spotted means covered with a pattern of spots or dots: «a spotted dog». tree →
2. Spotted is the past form of «spot»: to notice or see something, especially something hard to find. tree →

In the lessons

In science, spotted animals (leopards, ladybirds, Dalmatians) use their patterns for camouflage or warning. In stories and puzzles, a character spotted a clue. In safety, «If you spotted something wrong, tell an adult.» Phrases: «spotted the difference», «got spotted», «spotted dick» (a British pudding).

Examples

• The Dalmatian has a spotted coat. tree →
• I spotted my friend in the crowd. tree →
• She spotted a mistake in her sum and fixed it. tree →
• We spotted a deer in the woods. tree →
• Ladybirds are red and spotted. tree →
• Have you spotted the five differences in the pictures? tree →
• The thief was spotted on camera. tree →
• A pretty Barbel, with spotted skin, and an enviably round back, declared that the "human fry" were still there. tree →

Note

Past of «spot» with a double t: spot → spotted, spotting. Similar adjective: «spotty» (often means having pimples). «Spotted» (pattern) vs «striped» (lines).

In Jewish tradition

Here it means marked with patches of different color, said of sheep and goats. It is not about noticing something.

Interpretation. In Jacob's story, spotted and speckled animals are to be his wages from Laban. Tradition sees Jacob's success as God's help, since Laban had cheated him.

Examples

• And the flocks conceived at the sight of the rods, and the flocks brought forth streaked, speckled, and spotted. (Torah GEN.30.39, JPS 1917) tree →
• I will pass through all thy flock to-day, removing from thence every speckled and spotted one, and every dark one among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats; and of such shall be my hire. (Torah GEN.30.32, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Past of «spot» with a double t: spot → spotted, spotting. Similar adjective: «spotty» (often means having pimples). «Spotted» (pattern) vs «striped» (lines).