variegation

American  

[vair-ee-i-gey-shuhn, vair-i-gey-] / ˌvɛər i ɪˈgeɪ ʃən, ˌvɛər ɪˈgeɪ- /

noun

1. an act of variegating.

2. the state or condition of being variegated; varied coloration.

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Etymology

Origin of variegation

First recorded in 1640–50; variegate + -ion

Explanation

Variegation is the process of making something more diverse, especially in its coloration. The variegation in a plant's leaves can give them a striped or spotted appearance. One long musical note can be made into an interesting tune with some variegation in its pitch and tone. And adding variegation to the color of the ocean in your painting can lend it a more realistic appearance. This noun is often used by botanists (plant scientists) to describe the color variation in blossoms and leaves. The Latin root of variegation is varius, "spotted" or "varying."

Example Sentences

The in-vogue plants right now include the Philodendrons, Hoyas, Anthuriums, Scindapsus — especially silver varieties like ‘Platinum’ — and plants with white variegation or velvety leaves.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 9, 2021

In summer, Miscanthus sinensis var. condensatus ‘Cosmopolitan’ arches tall in ribbons of white and green variegation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 5, 2018

Many cultivars of ivy can be found in and around gardens, some showing flashy variegation, others with finely dissected leaves.

From New York Times • Jan. 20, 2017

The Rockies may offer wilder wildernesses, but you don’t experience the pleasure of sharp cultural variegation as you move from place to place.

From The New Yorker • Apr. 11, 2016

Sometimes the colours ran together, and made a little river or lake of lambent interfusing and changing tints, which, by their variegation, seemed to imitate the flowing of water, or waves made by the wind.

From The Princess and Curdie by MacDonald, George