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versatile, a.|ˈvɜːsətaɪl, ˈvɜːsətɪl|
Also 7 versatle, versatil, varsatile.
[a. F. versatile (16th c., = It. versatile, Sp., Pg. versatil), or ad. L. versātilis, f. versāre: see verse v.2]
I.
1. a. Marked or characterized by changeability or inconstancy; subject to change or fluctuation; variable, changeable.
1605Bacon Adv. Learn. i. iii. §6. 15 It is rather the reuerence which many times both aduerse parts doe giue to honestie, than any versatile aduantage of their owne carriage. 1659Quæries on Proposalls of Officers of Armie to Parlt. 4 To mold the versatle hypocrisy of his depraved mind. 1665Glanvill Scepsis Sci. xxvi. 161 Those versatile representations in the neck of a Dove. 1682Burnet Rights of Princes Pref. 36 He also observes the Varsatile Temper of the Jesuits. 1791Burke Let. to Member of Nat. Assemb. Wks. 1842 I. 482 The versatile tenderness which marks the irregular and capricious feelings of the populace. 1798Grant Surv. Prov. Moray 279 The number of scholars vibrates from 20 to 90; but from the versatile state of the establishment, it is not possible that [etc.]. 1801Farmer's Mag. Jan. 67 Our author..is of such a versatile disposition, that..he states [etc.]. 1853Kane Grinnell Exp. ix. (1856) 67 The things were there half an hour ago. I saw them, capricious, versatile, full of forms, but bright and definite as the phases of sober life.
Comb.1850Thackeray Pendennis lxiii, For at one instant to hate and defy a man,..and at the next to be..friendly with him, was not an unusual process with our versatile-minded Baronet.
b. Of persons: Fickle, inconstant. rare.
1682Burnet Rights Princes viii. 293 Thomas Becket..was a proud varsatile and factious Man. 1697Evelyn Numism. ix. 315 The French, Versatile, Unconstant. 1855Milman Lat. Chr. vii. iv. (1864) IV. 148 The versatile people rose on his side [and] drove out the troops. 1882M. E. Braddon Mt. Royal iii, He is too versatile, too soft-hearted and impressionable.
c. Both heterosexual and homosexual. slang.
1959[see bent ppl. a. 5 c]. 1960M. Spark Ballad Peckham Rye iii. 32 Dougal was probably pansy. ‘I don't think so... He's got a girl somewhere.’ ‘Might be versatile.’
2. Characterized by readiness or facility in turning from one subject, pursuit, or task to another; marked by many-sidedness or variety of talent.
In early use somewhat rare; freq. from c 1795.
1656Stanley Hist. Philos. (1687) 151/1 He was of a versatile wit, and in composure of his speech a difficult adversary. 1667Sprat Hist. R. Soc. 18 Disputing is a very good instrument, to sharpen mens wits, and to make them versatil. 1791Cowper Odyssey i. 2 Make the man thy theme, for shrewdness famed And genius versatile. 1796H. Hunter tr. St.-Pierre's Stud. Nat. (1799) II. 290 What then is that versatile faculty, called reason? a1828H. Neele Lit. Rem. 19 Chaucer's genius was vast, versatile and original. 1856Froude Hist. Eng. I. 158 A multitude of other subjects, with which his versatile ability made him conversant. 1874Green Short Hist. i. §6 (1876) 52 His nature was sunny, versatile, artistic.
transf.1791T. Newte Tour Eng. & Scot. 171 The physical as well as the moral nature of man is extremely versatile, and accommodating to circumstances. 1801Lusignan IV. 152 Absorbed in meditations and versatile reflections, he wandered, unconscious of the progress of time.
3. a. Of persons: Turning easily or readily from one subject or occupation to another; having an aptitude or faculty for fresh pursuits or tasks; showing facility in varied subjects; many-sided.
1762–71H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Paint. (1786) II. 95 In 1665 the versatile Gerbier published a piece he called Subsidium Peregrinantibus. 1815W. H. Ireland Scribbleomania 213 Of this versatile writer, ah! what should be said. 1841Macaulay Ess., W. Hastings (1851) 634 The able and versatile Henry Dundas. 1851Thackeray Eng. Hum. vi. (1858) 327 The vivid and versatile genius who has touched on almost every subject of literature. 1874Stubbs Const. Hist. I. xii. 460 He was an able man of business, versatile, politic.
b. Const. in.
1807D'Israeli Cur. Lit. (ed. 5) I. 22 An individual, however versatile and extensive in his genius, would soon be exhausted. 1842Miss Mitford in L'Estrange Life (1870) III. ix. 144 O'Connell is versatile in his words and ways, and the Repeal seems to me incomprehensible. 1872W. Minto Eng. Prose Lit. i. i. 58 He is more versatile in the ‘pitch’ of his style.
II.
4. a. Capable of being turned round on, or as on, a pivot or hinge; that may be turned different ways. In later use spec. in Ent. and Ornith.
1658Phillips, Versatile, apt to be wound or turned any way. 1671R. Bohun Wind 72 A feather, or other versatil body. 1678Phil. Trans. XII. 930 The Eyes resemble a Lens or Convex Glass set in a Versatile globular Socket. 1826Kirby & Sp. Entomol. IV. xliii. 172 Some muscle of this kind must be in Gryllotalpa, and in those that have a versatile head. Ibid. 175 The Head..is sometimes versatile. 1840Penny Cycl. XVIII. 306/1 Tarsus [in barbets is] shorter than the versatile toe. 1872Coues N. Amer. Birds 200 Hallux of average length,..outer toe more or less perfectly versatile (but never permanently reversed).
b. Bot. Of an anther: Swinging or turning about freely on a filament to which it is attached.
1760J. Lee Introd. Bot. iii. xxii. (1765) 228 The Anthera is versatile and incumbent, when it is fastened on at its Side. 1787Families of Plants I. 254 Anthers oblong, versatile. 1830Lindley Nat. Syst. Bot. 47 Their small round and versatile anthers. 1861S. Thomson Wild Fl. i. (ed. 4) 65 The filament..may..be so attached to some point of the anther as to allow it to swing loosely, when a versatile anther is constituted. 1870Hooker Stud. Flora 182 Dipsaceæ,..anthers versatile.
c. Of a leaf: turning either way. rare—1.
1870Hooker Stud. Flora 335 Populas tremula... Leaves 1–4 in., versatile.
Hence ˈversatilely adv., ˈversatileness.
1646Gaule Cases Consc. 130 [A witch] that works not only darkly and closely, but variously and versatilly, as God will permit [etc.]. 1654R. Codrington tr. Iustine viii. 129 According to the versatilness of his wit. 1727Bailey (vol. II), Versatileness, aptness to be turned or wound any way. 1791J. Learmont Poems, Mutability of Man 20 Versatileness attends him still; A deep inwoven art Conceals..the guile And rancour of his heart. 1872M. Collins Two Plunges for Pearl iv, An intellect so different from his own—so versatilely fluent, yet passionately obstinate. |