maculation

plural maculations

1. countableobsoleteuncountableThe act of spotting; a spot; a blemish.

   1891, Ambrose Bierce, “A Holy Terror” in Tales of Soldiers and Civilians, San Francisco: E. L. G. Steele, p. 218, He could make out a mottled pattern on the hollow cheeks—the maculations of decay.

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   I speak not ‘be thou true,’ as fearing thee, For I will throw my glove to Death himself, That there’s no maculation in thy heart:

   c. 1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iv]

2. uncountablebiologyA pattern of spots.

   1990, Mason E. Hale, A Synopsis of the Lichen Genus Xanthoparmelia (Vainio) Hale (Ascomycotina, Parmeliaceae), Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press, p. 195, [This lichen] species […] is recognized by […] more or less distinct maculation on the upper surface, and pale brown lower surface.

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   Females [of the species Speyeria nokomis] are cream above with heavy black maculation accompanied by much dark suffusion.

   1975, William H. Howe, editor, The Butterflies of North America, Garden City, NY: Doubleday, page 217