variousadj.
/ˈvɛːrɪəs/, U.S. /ˈvɛriəs/ I. Characterized by variation or change.† 1. † b. Of fortune, life, etc. Obsolete.† c. Turning different ways; going in different directions. Obsolete.† d. Of a war: marked by varying success. Obsolete.† 2. Of persons:† b. Marked by change or vacillation in opinions or views. Obsolete.† c. poetic. Appearing in or assuming a variety of forms. Obsolete.
a. Of things: undergoing, exhibiting, subject to, variation or change; variable, changeful. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > changeableness > [adjective]
slidinga900
wankleeOE
windyc1000
unsteadfastc1200
fleeting?c1225
loose?c1225
brotelc1315
unstablec1340
varyingc1340
variantc1374
motleyc1380
ungroundedc1380
muablea1393
passiblea1393
remuablea1393
changeablea1398
movablea1398
variablec1397
slidderya1400
ticklec1400
variantc1412
flitting1413
mutable?a1425
movingc1425
flaskisable1430
flickering1430
transmutablec1430
vertible1447
brittlea1450
ficklea1450
permutablec1450
unfirmc1450
uncertain1477
turnable1483
unsteadfast1483
vagrantc1522
inconstant1526
alterable?1531
stirringc1540
slippery1548
various1552
slid?1553
mutala1561
rolling1561
weathery1563
unconstant1568
interchangeable1574
fluctuant1575
stayless1575
transitive1575
voluble1575
changeling1577
queasy1579
desultory1581
huff-puff1582
unstaid1586
vagrant1586
changeful1590
floating1594
Protean1594
unstayed1594
swimming1596
anchorless1597
mobilec1600
ticklish1601
catching1603
labile1603
unrooted1604
quicksilvered1605
versatile1605
insubstantial1607
uncertain1609
brandling1611
rootless1611
squeasy1611
wind-changinga1616
insolid1618
ambulatory1625
versatilous1629
plastic1633
desultorious1637
unbottomed1641
fluid1642
fluent1648
yea-and-nay1648
versipellous1650
flexile1651
uncentred1652
variating1653
chequered1656
slideable1662
transchangeative1662
weathercock-like1663
flicketing1674
fluxa1677
lapsable1678
wanton1681
veering1684
upon the weathercock1702
contingent1703
unsettled?1726
fermentable1731
afloat1757
brickle1768
wavy1795
vagarious1798
unsettled1803
fitful1810
metamorphosical1811
undulating1815
tittupya1817
titubant1817
mutative1818
papier mâché1818
teetotum1819
vacillating1822
capricious1823
sensitive1828
quicksilvery1829
unengrafted1829
fluxionala1834
proteiform1833
liquid1835
tottlish1835
kaleidoscopic1846
versative1846
kaleidoscopical1858
tottery1861
choppy1865
variative1874
variational1879
wimbly-wambly1881
fluctuable1882
shifty1882
giveable1884
shifty1884
tippy1886
mutatory1890
upsettable1890
rocky1897
undulatory1897
streaky1898
tottly1905
tipply1906
up and down1907
inertialess1927
sometimey1946
rise-and-fall1950
switchable1961
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Variouse, uacillans,..uarius.
1570 P. Levens Manipulus Vocabulorum sig. Siiiv/2 Variouse, varius..instabilis.
1622 J. Taylor Sir Gregory Nonsence in Wks. (1630) 1/2 Most conscript Vmpire in this various Orbe.
1647 C. Cotterell & W. Aylesbury tr. E. C. Davila Hist. Civill Warres France i. 13 As the condition of the Court is ever various and unconstant.
a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) 191 The Instances of latter Discoveries which make evident this various state of the Globe of Earth and Water.
1708 London Gaz. No. 4463/3 The Winds were so various that we could not make to the Bay of la Hogue 'till the 11th.
a1763 W. Shenstone Wks. Verse & Prose (1764) I. 11 Ill can I bear the various clime of Love!
1775 R. B. Sheridan Rivals Epil. The servile suitors watch her various face, She smiles preferment, or she frowns disgrace.
ΚΠ
1623 J. Taylor New Discouery by Sea sig. A8 Whilst we like various Fortunes Tennis ball At euery stroake, were in the Hazzard all.
a1644 F. Quarles Judgem. & Mercy (1646) 8 Feare not the frownes of Princes or the imperious hand of various Fortune.
1703 N. Rowe Ulysses i. i Ev'ry Change Of various Life.
a1771 T. Gray Agrippina in Poems (1775) 130 Thro' various life I have pursued your steps.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > [adjective] > turning or able to face any direction
turnable1483
convertible1526
versable1623
various1629
versatile1658
tropic1677
orientable1912
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > [adjective] > moving hither and thither
fugitive1481
discursive1626
volatile1654
various1725
pillar-to-post1886
1629 F. Quarles Argalus & Parthenia i. 17 There walked she; and in her various minde, Proiects and casts about which way to finde The progresse of the yong Partheniaes heart.
1725 W. Broome in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey II. vi. 134 Forth from her snowy hand Nausicaa threw The various ball.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > war > [adjective] > of war: marked by varying success
various1754
1754–8 T. Newton Diss. Prophecies xii. 179 Hence arose a various war between Antiochus and Epiphanes, each of them seizing Phœnicia and Cœle-Syria by turns.
a. Changeable in character; inconstant, unstable; fickle. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > inconstancy > [adjective]
unfastc888
unstathelfasteOE
unsteadfasta1200
fleeting?c1225
changeablea1275
ficklea1275
unstablec1290
waveringc1315
flickerc1325
loose in the haftc1325
motleyc1380
unsadc1384
variablea1387
variantc1386
ticklec1400
inconstant1402
flitting1413
brittle1420
plianta1425
mutablec1425
shittle1440
shittle-witted1448
moonishc1450
unconstant1483
unfirm1483
varying?a1500
pliablea1513
fluctuant1575
changeling1577
shittle-headed1580
cheverel1583
off and on1583
chameleon-like1589
changeful1590
limber1602
unsteady1604
ticklish1606
skittish1609
startling1619
labile1623
uncertaina1625
cheverelized1625
remuant1625
fluctuate1631
fluctuary1632
various1636
contrarious1643
epileptical1646
fluxilea1654
shittle-braineda1655
multivolent1656
totter-headed1662
on and off1668
self-inconsistent1678
weathercocka1680
whifflinga1680
versatile1682
veering1684
fast and loose1697
inconsistent1709
insteadfast1728
unfixing1810
unsteadied1814
chameleonic1821
labefact1874
ballastless1884
weathercocky1886
whiffle-minded1902
1636 E. Dacres tr. N. Machiavel Disc. Livy I. 231 A Prince loosen'd from the law, will be unthankfull, various, and imprudent.
1670 G. Havers tr. G. Leti Il Cardinalismo di Santa Chiesa iii. iv. 328 So Cardinal Alexandrino dealt with Cardinal de S. Sisto, a various and unconstant man.
1670 A. Marvell Let. 14 June in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 265 Truly he seems to me so various & fickle in handling this businesse all along.
a1745 J. Swift Henry I in Wks. (1768) XIII. 274 Robert, who was various in his nature, and always under the power of the present persuader.
1776 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall I. i. 7 The various character of that emperor, capable, by turns, of the meanest and the most generous sentiments.
1820 E. Thompson Cullen's Nosologia (ed. 3) 227 The mind, involuntarily various and unsteady.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > [adjective]
twiredec888
orrathc1175
twofoldc1175
twifoldc1200
waveringc1315
uncertain1382
suspensec1440
mammeringa1450
flowing?1504
floghtering1521
vacillant1521
in a mammering1532
double-minded1552
unstaid1561
unresolute1570
unresolved?1571
staggeringa1577
frittle1579
irresolute1579
cheverel1583
off and on1583
halting1585
unsettleda1593
unresolving1599
demurring1607
waving1611
suspensive1614
hoveringa1616
startling1619
irresolved1621
hesitating1622
indetermined1628
variousa1643
branling1645
hesitant1647
non-sincere1656
hesitatious1657
humdrum1660
shuttlecock1660
yea-and-nay1672
swaying1688
interpendent1708
undetermined1718
Squadronec1720
hesitatorya1734
volanta1734
shilly-shally1734
dilly-dally1749
niffy-naffy1765
wiggle-waggle1778
undecided1779
undecisive1780
indecisive1787
conflicted1789
hesitative1795
undeciding1802
vacillating1814
yea-nay1827
demurrant1836
willy-nilly1839
shilly-shallying1842
oscillative1852
Hamletish1854
vacillatory1854
dilly-dallying1879
thistledown1897
weak-principled1913
not-quite1920
off-again on-again1923
dithery1931
havering1975
a1643 Visct. Falkland Of Infallibilitie Church of Rome (1645) 14 Saint Austin (who is very various I confesse in it).
1653 T. Gataker Vindic. Annot. Jer. 10.2 i. 3 In this point he seems somewhat various.
1661 J. Davies Civil Warres 373 The officers of the army them~selves began to be various and uncertain what to do.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > [adjective] > having many or all forms
variformed1578
milliformc1581
Protean1594
multiform1603
shapeful?1615
omniform1642
polymorphean1656
diversiform1660
variform1662
multiformousa1670
proteiform1724
various1725
versiform1727
polymorphous1798
maniform?1811
polymorphic1816
pantomorphic1836
omniformal1848
polymorph1872
pluriform1938
1725 E. Fenton in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey I. iv. 524 Watch with insidious care his known abode; There fast in chains constrain the various God [sc. Proteus].
II. Characterized by variety.
3. Of persons:† a. Versatile in knowledge or acquirements; exhibiting variety in work or writings. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > [adjective] > having all-round ability
various1621
versatile1786
many-sided1823
omnicompetent1827
all-sided1833
polytropic1838
all round1867
1621 R. Montagu Diatribæ Hist. Tithes 1 His name was already up..for a great scholar: a various Linguist.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica i. viii. 32 A delectable Author, and very various.
1657 S. Purchas Theatre Flying-insects i. i What in this respect is wiser, or better instructed than the Bee? What Artificer is so various, what Painter..can imitate her works?
1681 J. Dryden Absalom & Achitophel 17 A man so various, that he seem'd to be Not one, but all Mankinds Epitome.
b. Giving attention to many different subjects.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > learning > study > [adjective] > studying various subjects
various1878
1878 R. Choate Addr. 235 It is a common belief that Mr. Webster was a various reader; and I think it is true.
4.
a. Varied in colour; vari-coloured, variegated. Chiefly poetic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > colour > variegation > [adjective]
fawa700
medleyc1350
freckledc1380
motleyc1380
pied1382
specked1382
vary1382
partyc1385
parted1393
peckleda1400
polymitec1425
sere-colouredc1425
vairc1425
discoloured?1440
motleyed1447
varying1488
sheld1507
fleckered1508
piet1508
mellay1515
particoloured1530
pickled1552
varied1578
mingled1580
partly coloured1582
chequered1592
medley-coloured1593
mingle-coloured1593
piebald1594
feathered1610
changeable1612
particolour1612
enamelled1613
variousa1618
pie-coloured1619
jaspered1620
gangean1623
versicolour1628
patchwork1634
damasked1648
variously-coloureda1660
variegateda1661
agated1665
varicoloured1665
damaska1674
various-coloureda1711
pieted1721
versicoloured1721
diversicoloured1756
mosaic1776
harlequin1779
spanged1788
calico1807
piety1811
varied-coloured1811
discolorate1826
heterochromous1842
jaspé1851
discolor1859
discolorous1860
jasperoid1876
damascened1879
heterochromatic1895
variotinted1903
batik1914
varihued1921
rumbled1930
damasky1931
pepper-and-salt1940
partihued1959
a1618 J. Sylvester New-polished Spectacles in tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Diuine Weekes & Wks. (1621) 1183 The Leaves fresh varnisht lively green, The Blossoms various to bee seen.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis ix, in tr. Virgil Wks. 464 The various Iris Juno sends with haste, To find bold Turnus.
1718 M. Prior Garland ii At Morn the Nymph vouchsaft to place Upon her Brow the various Wreath.
1735 W. Somervile Chace ii. 106 The rising Sun..As many Colours from their glossy Skins Beaming reflects, as paint the various Bow.
1757 W. Wilkie Epigoniad iii. 54 A polish'd casque her lovely temples bound, With flow'rs of gold and various plumage crown'd.
1855 H. W. Longfellow Hiawatha xii. 164 He saw the nine fair sisters..Changed to birds of various plumage.
b. Exhibiting variety in appearance; presenting different aspects at different times or places.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > variety > [adjective] > exhibiting variety in appearance
manifoldeOE
various1656
the world > time > change > changeableness > [adjective] > liable to be changed > in appearance
various1656
chatoyant1816
1656 J. Smith Compl. Pract. Physick 288 Use these till the pain, and various colour cease.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost v. 89 I..underneath beheld The Earth outstretcht immense, a prospect wide And various . View more context for this quotation
1694 W. Congreve Double-dealer v. i. 74 Ten thousand meanings lurk in every corner of that various face.
1712 J. Addison Spectator No. 417. ¶3 The various Scenary of a Country Life.
1725 in Hist. MSS Comm.: Rep. MSS Duke of Portland (1901) VI. 98 in Parl. Papers (Cd. 676) XXXVI. i. 1 If one gets safe to the top, he may enjoy..a very extensive and various prospect on both sides.
1796 C. Smith Marchmont I. 118 Her road lay..through a country various and rich.
1832 R. Lander & J. Lander Jrnl. Exped. Niger I. i. 32 They were clad in all their finery, their apparel being as gaudy as it was various.
1863 W. W. Story Roba di Roma xiii Various as the Campagna is in outline, it is quite as various in colour, reflecting every aspect of the sky and answering every touch of the seasons.
1872 J. S. Blackie Lays of Highlands Introd. 49 The various outline of the Orcadian coast..presents a fine background.
5. † b. Calculated to cause difference or dissimilarity. Obsolete. rare.
a. Characterized by variation or variety of attributes or properties; exhibiting or possessing (several) different characters or qualities; varied in nature or character.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > variety > [adjective]
sunderlyeOE
manifoldeOE
selcoutha1000
felefoldc1000
mislichOE
alkinOE
manykinOE
fele-kync1175
serekina1300
sundera1325
sundrya1325
serea1340
divers1340
varyingc1340
variantc1380
muchfoldc1384
serelepesa1400
serelepya1400
multifaryc1460
sundryfoldc1460
multiplicate?a1475
variable?a1475
sundrilyc1480
diversea1542
particoloured1591
multifarious1593
Protean1594
daedal1596
choiceful1605
Daedalian1605
multiplex1606
variated1608
diversified1611
multiplicious1617
variousa1634
multivarious1636
mosaic1644
multiple1647
omnigenous1650
chequered1656
plurifarious1656
ununiform1660
variate1677
disuniform1687
Proteusian1689
unsteady1690
unequable1693
inequable1721
variegating1727
varied1733
multitudinous1744
multifold1806
polygeneous1818
unequalized1822
ruleless1836
varicoloured185.
non-uniform1856
omnigener1857
polytypic1858
multiferous1860
variatious1871
variegated1872
polytypical1890
pred.
attributive.1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ iii. i. §14 The various motion and configuration of the particles of matter.1670 A. Marvell Let. 8 Dec. in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 120 We shall haue much adoe to get businesse of so various nature into fashion.1703 N. Rowe Fair Penitent i. i The various fury of the Seasons.a1720 M. Prior Judgem. of Venus i When Kneller's Works of various Grace, Were to fair Venus shown.1796 E. Burke Let. 27 Dec. in Corr. (1970) IX. 206 We have had various health, but never any that deserved to be called good.1807 G. Crabbe Parish Reg. iii, in Poems 111 To shew the various Worth of Catharine Lloyd.1844 B. Disraeli Coningsby I. iii. ii. 270 Such a various prodigality of writing materials.1868 Heavysege Jezebel iii. 115 Then followed many years of various fate.a1634 W. Austin Devotionis Augustinianæ Flamma (1635) 270 Let the Pleasure be full to give Content; Let it be Various to avoid Satietie.
1772 W. Jones Poems 129 A tune so various and uncouth he made, That not a dancer could in cadence move.
1780 New Newgate Cal. V. 100 After conviction their behaviour was very various. On some occasions they appeared hardened in a very high degree, and at others [etc.].
1853 C. C. Felton Familiar Lett. (1865) xliv. 324 Since our return from our journey, the weather has been very various.
1858 D. Lardner Hand-bk. Nat. Philos.: Hydrostatics, Pneumatics, & Heat (new ed.) 99 The velocity of rivers is very various, the slower class moving at less than 3 feet, and the more rapid at so much as 6 feet per second.
1874 J. Parker Paraclete i. vii. 107 The ministration of the spirit is various: by it Moses was made wise, Bezaleel was made skilful, and Samson was made strong.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > difference > [adjective] > calculated to cause difference
various1667
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xii. 53 God..in derision sets Upon thir Tongues a various Spirit..To sow a jangling noise of words unknown. View more context for this quotation
6.
a. Marked by variety of incident or action.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > variety > [adjective] > marked by variety of incident or action
various1637
1637 J. Milton Comus 14 She..lets grow her wings That in the various bustle of resort Were all to ruffl'd.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vi. 242 For wide was spred That Warr and various . View more context for this quotation
1726 J. Dyer Grongar Hill in New Misc. 87 Wave succeeding Wave, they go A various Journey to the Deep.
1829 I. Taylor Nat. Hist. Enthusiasm (1867) 75 Pride..forbids [the heretic's] return to the truth he has..denounced from all points of his various course.
b. poetic. Acting in many different ways.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > variety > [adjective] > acting in many different ways
various1671
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 668 God of our Fathers, what is man! That thou towards him with hand so various..Temperst thy providence. View more context for this quotation
7.
a. Exhibiting variety of subject or topic; concerned or occupied with many different themes.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > a written composition > a compilation > [adjective] > of mixed composition
rhapsodical1586
various1678
rhapsodic1751
1678 A. Marvell Let. 21 Feb. in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 218 The other things committed to them, being of various consideration, they will probably digest into severall Bills.
1712 A. Pope tr. Statius First Bk. Thebais in Misc. Poems 52 Relate your Fortunes, while the friendly Night And silent Hours to various Talk invite.
1794 W. Godwin Caleb Williams II. vii. 98 Yet under this rude exterior it was easy to distinguish various knowledge, nice discrimination, and a strong and active mind.
1818 in J. K. Tuckey Narr. Exped. River Zaire Introd. p. lvii He had stored his mind with so much various knowledge..that he was considered the most eligible for the undertaking.
1852 W. M. Thackeray Henry Esmond III. v. 128 One whose conversation was so various, easy, and delightful.
b. Exhibiting variety in the different persons or things forming a collective whole; displaying or including a variety of objects.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > variety > [adjective] > miscellaneous or heterogeneous
difform1525
maslin1590
several1590
heterogeneana1601
miscellane1603
heterogeneal1605
miscellaneous1615
heterogeneous1629
miscellany1629
miscellanean1632
miscellaneal1633
stromatic1656
sundry1678
heterogenous1695
sorted1697
well-assorted1757
various1772
misc.1806
variegated1815
olla-podrida-ish1827
unhomogeneousa1830
olla-podridical1830
heterologous1834
non-homogeneous1853
cut-and-paste1864
assorted1897
sorty1899
inhomogeneous1904
1772 W. Jones Poems 18 Through the four portals rush'd a various throng.
1811 W. Scott Don Roderick lvii. 51 A various host they came—whose ranks display Each mode in which the warrior meets the fight.
1830 Ld. Tennyson Ode to Memory v, in Poems 63 Great artist Memory,..Needs must thou dearly love thy first essay, And foremost in thy various gallery Place it.
1872 J. S. Blackie Lays of Highlands 163 One single law, as with a chain, Doth bind the various vast infinity.
III. Characterized by difference.
8. With plural n. Different from one another; of different kinds or sorts:elliptical.1855 Poultry Chron. 3 415 The Various Class presented the usual number of curiosities.1903 Westm. Gaz. 30 Dec. 3/1 A couple of 'cock, ground game, and such ‘various’ as snipe, duck, a plover or so.
a. In attributive use.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > variety > [adjective] > various, sundry, or several
diverse1297
several1509
changeable1535
distributary?1541
varied1594
omnimodous1627
various1637
omnifarious1653
omnimode1656
variegated1662
allogeneous1892
1637 J. Milton Comus 2 All the Sea-girt Iles That like to rich, and various gemms inlay The..bosome of the Deepe.
1646 R. Crashaw Musicks Duell in Steps to Temple 106 The humourous strings expound his learned touch, By various Glosses.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 375 Then were they known to men by various Names, And various Idols through the Heathen World. View more context for this quotation
1725 I. Watts Logick i. vi. 182 As infinitely various as the Essences of Things are, their Definitions must needs have very various Forms.
1743 P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace Odes (new ed.) I. ii. xviii. 39 For Earth impartial entertains Her various sons, and in her breast Princes and beggars equal rest.
1805 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 14 564 Dr. Jackson..is very careful in marking all those various effects produced from similar causes.
1857 1st Rep. Comm. Customs 13 To discharge the various and onerous duties of ‘Shipping Masters’.
1884 B. Bosanquet et al. tr. H. Lotze Metaphysic 196 There arises,..by help of abstraction from the content of the various impressions, the picture of empty extension.
b. Predicative.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [adjective] > asseverative, assertive, affirmative, or positive
assertive1562
affirmatory1651
various1651
thetic1678
assertory1702
asseveratorya1734
asseverative1837
assertative1846
predicative1846
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan iii. xliii. 323 The causes why men beleeve any Christian Doctrine, are various.
a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) I. 229 How various and innumerable Are those, who live upon the Rabble?
1721 R. Bradley Philos. Acct. Wks. Nature 147 The Beetle and Water-Scorpion are little various in the outward Structure of their Bodies.
1785 W. Cowper Task i. 302 The woodland scene, Diversified with trees of ev'ry growth, Alike, yet various.
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian ix, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. III. 240 Its springs, various in character, yet alike efficacious in virtue, are to be found in abundance.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. ii. 180 Talents great and various assisted to spread the contagion.
1851 A. Helps Compan. Solitude xi. 213 The advantages of travel are very various and very numerous.
c. With a singular n., and frequently preceded by each or every.
ΚΠ
1721 M. Prior Colin's Mistakes xi. 6 Ca'ndish-Holles-Harley stood confest, As various Hour advis'd, in various Habit drest.
1746 P. Francis tr. Horace in P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace Epistles i. xvii. 32 Yet Aristippus every Dress became: In every various Change of Life the same.
1766 C. Anstey New Bath Guide ix. iii. 59 I alone his Thoughts employ Thro' each various Scene of Joy.
1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor iii, in Tales of my Landlord 3rd Ser. III. 37 Sufficient care was taken that this report should find its way to Ravenswood Castle through every various channel.
1819 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto I xviii. 12 Don Jóse, like a lineal son of Eve, Went plucking various fruit without her leave.
1872 H. W. Longfellow Prel. in Three Bks. Song i. 6 The breakfast ended, each pursued The promptings of his various mood.
d. In the phrase various reading(s). (Cf. variant adj. 2 and lection n. 1c.)
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > literary and textual criticism > textual criticism > version of text > [noun] > reading > various reading
varia lectioa1651
various lections1659
various reading(s)1659
variant1855
1659 B. Walton Considerator Considered 114 Various Readings are the difference of Copies collected and offered to the reader's judgment.
1701 Acct. Life in T. Stanley Hist. Philos. (ed. 3) sig. dv That he might omit nothing, he has annext the various Readings,..Conjectures and Observations.
1721 F. Atterbury Let. 27 Sept. in A. Pope Corr. (1956) II. 84 Therefore in my Waller there is a various Reading of the first of these Couplets.
1791 J. Boswell Life Johnson II. 557 (note) Chaucer, a new edition of him, from manuscripts and old editions, with various readings.
1824 J. Johnson Typographia II. 437 An exact list of all its various readings.
1855 F. A. Paley Æschylus (1861) Pref. p. x What really is a necessary and inevitable part of an editor's duty, viz. the continual discussion of various readings.
1910 Expositor Apr. 352 It may rest upon a various reading in the Hebrew.
9. In weakened sense, as an enumerative term: different, divers, several, many, more than one.It is not always possible to distinguish absolutely between this sense and sense 8, as the meaning frequently merges into ‘many different’: cf. divers adj. 3.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > plurality > [adjective] > of several kinds
manifoldeOE
serea1340
several1509
various1696
1696 M. Prior To King 62 In various Tongues He hears the Captains dwell On their great Leader's Praise.
1725 N. Robinson New Theory of Physick 239 By this Means we shall be able to judge with the greater Exactness, of all the various Phænomena's of Nature.
1762 J. Reeve in Foley Rec. Eng. Prov. S.J. VII. Introd. p. xlii From that period the College of St. Omer began to shine among the various Seminaries of piety and learning.
1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair lxi. 549 But he heard of the Major's fame from various members of his society.
1879 G. C. Harlan Eyesight ii. 30 The eyeball is moved in various directions by six muscles.
1897 Ld. Roberts 41 Years in India I. vii. 75 Various acts of incendiarism took place.
Compounds
With adjectives or past participles.
various-blossomed adj.
ΚΠ
1730 J. Thomson Autumn in Seasons 125 The various-blossom'd Spring.
various-coloured adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > colour > variegation > [adjective]
fawa700
medleyc1350
freckledc1380
motleyc1380
pied1382
specked1382
vary1382
partyc1385
parted1393
peckleda1400
polymitec1425
sere-colouredc1425
vairc1425
discoloured?1440
motleyed1447
varying1488
sheld1507
fleckered1508
piet1508
mellay1515
particoloured1530
pickled1552
varied1578
mingled1580
partly coloured1582
chequered1592
medley-coloured1593
mingle-coloured1593
piebald1594
feathered1610
changeable1612
particolour1612
enamelled1613
variousa1618
pie-coloured1619
jaspered1620
gangean1623
versicolour1628
patchwork1634
damasked1648
variously-coloureda1660
variegateda1661
agated1665
varicoloured1665
damaska1674
various-coloureda1711
pieted1721
versicoloured1721
diversicoloured1756
mosaic1776
harlequin1779
spanged1788
calico1807
piety1811
varied-coloured1811
discolorate1826
heterochromous1842
jaspé1851
discolor1859
discolorous1860
jasperoid1876
damascened1879
heterochromatic1895
variotinted1903
batik1914
varihued1921
rumbled1930
damasky1931
pepper-and-salt1940
partihued1959
a1711 T. Ken Preparatives for Death in Wks. (1721) IV. 35 Bright various colour'd Rays his Wings adorn.
1752 J. Hill Gen. Nat. Hist. III. 231 The various-coloured Gadus,..The Cod-fish.
1823 W. Scott St. Ronan's Well III. v. 133 Such triple tiaras of various-coloured gauze on her head.
various-formed adj.
ΚΠ
1803 J. Kenney Society, with Other Poems 54 In spite of danger various-form'd, to wrest Nature's yet hidden secrets.
various-leaved adj.
ΚΠ
1822 S. Clarke Hortus Anglicus II. 155 L[epidium] Perfoliatum. Various-leaved Pepper Wort.
various-measured adj.
ΚΠ
1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd iv. 253 Various-measur'd verse, Æolian charms and Dorian Lyric Odes. View more context for this quotation
various-priced adj.
ΚΠ
1880 B. Disraeli Endymion II. xxix. 297 The intended introduction of grain at various-priced duties per quarter.
various-tinctured adj.
ΚΠ
1744 J. Thomson Summer in Seasons (new ed.) 101 The fiery Spume Of fat Bitumen, steaming on the Day, With various-tinctur'd Trains of latent Flame.
various-vested adj.
ΚΠ
1788 S. T. Coleridge Sonn. to Autumnal Moon 1 Mild Splendour of the various-vested Night!
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
<
adj.1552