miscellaneous

1630–40; < Latin miscellāneus mixed, of all sorts, equivalent to miscell(us) mixed + -ān(us) -an + -eus -eous

1. divers, varied, heterogeneous, diversified. Miscellaneous, indiscriminate, promiscuous refer to mixture and lack of order, and may imply lack of discernment or taste. Miscellaneous emphasizes the idea of the mixture of things of different kinds or natures: a miscellaneous assortment of furniture. Indiscriminate emphasizes lack of discrimination in choice (and consequent confusion): indiscriminate praise. Promiscuous is even stronger than indiscriminate in its emphasis of complete absence of discrimination: promiscuous in his friendships.