variegation

C2+ Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /ˌvɛriəˈɡeɪʃən/ UK /ˌvɛərɪˈɡeɪʃən/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

noun
the state of having varied colors or markings

The leaf's variegation made it prized among collectors.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · the state of having varied... diversity mottlingdapplingvarietystreakingmarbling

Opposites

uniformity plainness

Word family

Related forms variegate various variety vary

Etymology

From Late Latin variegātiō, from variegāre ('to make of various colors'), from varius ('diverse, spotted').

variegāre Latin varius Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# variegation

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˌvɛriəˈɡeɪʃən/
**IPA (UK):** /ˌvɛərɪˈɡeɪʃən/

## Meanings
1. the state of having varied colors or markings

## Examples
- The leaf's variegation made it prized among collectors.

## Synonyms
- diversity
- mottling
- dappling
- variety
- streaking
- marbling

## Antonyms
- uniformity
- plainness

## Related Forms
- variegate
- various
- variety
- vary

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: variegāre
- Root: varius

## Etymology
From Late Latin variegātiō, from variegāre ('to make of various colors'), from varius ('diverse, spotted').

## AI Etymology
Variegation comes from Late Latin variegātiō, from variegāre ('to make of various colors'), from varius ('diverse, spotted'). In current use it is a noun meaning "the state of having varied colors or markings". That sense is explained by the older material without requiring a speculative semantic step: the inherited or borrowed base supplies the field of meaning, while the English formation fixes its modern role. The history is mainly one of transmission into English, with the older form and sense carried through borrowing or adaptation. The historical chain includes Latin variegāre and Latin varius. Related English forms include variegate, various, variety, and vary. For dictionary purposes, the important point is the continuity between the older form, the route into English, and the present lexical sense.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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