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Ensemble vs Motley - What's the difference?

ensemble | motley |

As nouns the difference between ensemble and motley

is that ensemble is while motley is an incongruous mixture.

As an adjective motley is

comprising greatly varied elements, to the point of incongruity; heterogeneous.

ensemble

English

Noun

(wikipedia ensemble) (en noun)
  • a group of separate things that contribute to a coordinated whole
  • a coordinated costume or outfit; a suit
  • a group of musicians, dancers, actors, etc who perform together; e.g. the chorus of a ballet company
  • * 12 July 2012 , Sam Adams, AV Club Ice Age: Continental Drift
  • On paper, Continental Drift boasts a jaw-dropping voice cast, including but not limited to Jennifer Lopez, Patrick Stewart, Wanda Sykes, Aziz Ansari, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Nicki Minaj, Drake, and Alan Tudyk. But in practice, the overstuffed ensemble leaves the cast no room to distinguish themselves, and directors Steve Martino and Michael Thurmeier don’t seem interested in coaxing performances that might render their money stars less identifiable.
  • (music) a piece for several instrumentalists or vocalists
  • Derived terms

    * ensemblist * subensemble

    motley

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Comprising greatly varied elements, to the point of incongruity; heterogeneous.
  • *
  • *:Carried somehow, somewhither, for some reason, on these surging floods, were these travelers,. Even such a boat as the Mount Vernon offered a total deck space so cramped as to leave secrecy or privacy well out of the question, even had the motley and democratic assemblage of passengers been disposed to accord either.
  • Having many colours; variegated.
  • Noun

    (en noun)
  • An incongruous mixture.
  • A jester's multicoloured clothes.
  • (by extension) A jester; a fool.
  • * 1598 , , III. iii. 71:
  • Will you be married, motley ?
  • * 1609 , :
  • Alas, 'tis true, I have gone here and there, / And made myself a motley to the view,