Dogs that may have a spotted or multicolored coat, are often called piebald if their body is almost entirely white or another solid color with spotting and patches on the head and neck. But the Latin root that was adopted for their name isn't a linguistic nuisance; it played an important role in the development of piebald. The pie of piebald (pie is another name for a magpie) derives from pica, which is Latin for "magpie." The term piebald describes a distinctive pattern of coat, feather, or skin coloration characterized by unpigmented white patches against a background of normal, pigmented color.

Context Explanation

This two-toned look is seen across a wide variety of species, from domesticated animals to wildlife. It is not grey; it is piebald, and, on the whole, the dark patches are less prominent this year than last. Dogs like Dalmatians and some beagles exhibit piebald patterns, and it is also observed in cats, cattle, and wild animals such as deer, foxes, and snakes. The skin underneath the white fur or feathers is unpigmented, appearing pinkish.

Insight Material

Piebald animals display a distinctive coat pattern characterized by unpigmented spots, usually white, against a pigmented background. This pattern appears not just in domestic animals like cats and dogs but also in a variety of wildlife, including deer and horses. Factsheet What does the word piebald mean? There are four meanings listed in OED's entry for the word piebald, one of which is considered derogatory. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Final Conclusion

piebald, adj. & n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English Dictionary