polka dot

• polka-dot
• polkadot

1871, US; named after the polka dance, which was popular at the time (1840–1890). Numerous other things were also named for the dance, but these names have not endured.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈpɒl.kə ˌdɒt/, /ˈpəʊ.kə ˌdɒt/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈpoʊ.kə ˌdɑt/

polka dot (plural polka dots)

1. Any of a number of uniform round dots, repeated to make a regular geometric pattern on a fabric
   • 1871, Godey’s magazine‎, volumes 86-87, page 389:

     …these have entirely disappeared, and we see them with the old time white polka dot, always pretty clean and neat looking.

• polka-dotted

polka dot (third-person singular simple present polka dots, present participle polka dotting, simple past and past participle polka dotted)

1. To cover as with polka dots.

• “All the while doing the Postal Polka Two-Step.”, The Word Detective