patchwork

The result is a patchwork of shadowed areas that can stay extremely cold, preserve water, and protect delicate molecules and potential microorganisms from damaging radiation.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 25, 2026

Tackling the High Fens fire was made much harder by the fens' terrain -- a patchwork of heath, peat bogs and raised wooden boardwalks.

From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026

Although GPS satellites are U.S.-owned military hardware, the reference frame relies on an international patchwork of aging radio-telescopes staring at quasars, laser-ranging stations and physical ground markers anchored to shifting tectonic plates.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

The biggest changes are visible across Conwy, Flintshire, Denbighshire and Merseyside, where areas that were previously a patchwork of green fields and grassland are now covered by light brown tones, indicating extensive vegetation stress.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026

Its patchwork appearance reminded her of Frankenstein’s monster, which led to a terrible thought.

From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld

Lek’s paintings are so layered that they have been likened to quilts — rich patchworks that remind viewers how much more there is to see.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 4, 2023

Across the state, Marshall has documented the transformation of landscapes historically characterized by patchworks of saplings, mature trees, shrubs and meadows — all shaped by frequent, small fires.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 1, 2023

So are the stargates, which are quilt-like patchworks of boxes, arches and circles.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 6, 2022

Scientists hope patchworks of multi-coloured crops will help hide them "in plain sight" from pests as a natural alternative to pesticides.

From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2022

It makes the stories patchworks, not beautiful rugs.

From "Everything Sad Is Untrue" by Daniel Nayeri