Brindles are a unique pattern of fur or hair that is characterized by a combination of black, brown, or gray stripes or spots on a lighter background. There are several synonyms for this unusual pattern including tabby, tortoiseshell, or striped. The word tabby typically refers to a type of brindle pattern that consists of thin, evenly spaced stripes. Tortoiseshell, on the other hand, is often used to describe a pattern that has a mix of both brindle and solid colors. Striped is a more general term that can apply to any animal or object that has a series of parallel, contrasting lines or bands.