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definitions

variegated

[vair-ee-i-gey-tid, vair-i-gey-]
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adjective

varied in appearance or color; marked with patches or spots of different colors.
varied; diversified; diverse.

RELATED WORDS

spotted, checkered, varied, assorted, motley, mottled, mixed, striped, changeable, diverse, kaleidoscopic, multicolored, multicolor, versicolor, particolored

Nearby words

  1. varied,
  2. varied thrush,
  3. variedly,
  4. variegate,
  5. variegate porphyria,
  6. variegation,
  7. varier,
  8. varietal,
  9. variety,
  10. variety is the spice of life

Origin of variegated

First recorded in 1655–65; variegate + -ed2
Related formsun·var·i·e·gat·ed, adjective

variegate

[vair-ee-i-geyt, vair-i-geyt]

verb (used with object), var·i·e·gat·ed, var·i·e·gat·ing.

to make varied in appearance, as by adding different colors.
to give variety to; diversify.

Origin of variegate

1645–55; < Late Latin variegātus (past participle of variegāre to make (something) look varied), equivalent to Latin vari(us) various + -eg- (combining form of agere to do; see agent) + -ātus -ate1
Related formsvar·i·e·ga·tor, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for variegated

British Dictionary definitions for variegated

variegated

adjective

displaying differently coloured spots, patches, streaks, etc
(of foliage or flowers) having pale patches, usually as a result of mutation, infection, etc

variegate

verb (tr)

to alter the appearance of, esp by adding different colours
to impart variety to
Derived Formsvariegation, noun

Word Origin for variegate

C17: from Late Latin variegāre, from Latin varius diverse, various + agere to make
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for variegated

variegate

v.

"to mark with different colors," 1640s (implied in variegation), from Late Latin variegatus "made of various sorts or colors," past participle of variegare "diversify with different colors," from varius "spotted, changing, varying" (see vary) + root of agere "to drive" (see act). Related: Variegated; vareiegating.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper