versatileadj.

Brit.

/ˈvəːsətʌɪl/,

/ˈvəːsətɪl/, U.S.

/ˈvərsədl/

Forms: Also 1600s versatle, versatil, varsatile.

Etymology: < French versatile (16th cent., = Italian versatile , Spanish versatil , Portuguese versatil ), or < Latin versātilis , < versāre : see verse v.²

I. Changeable, inconstant; many-sided.

a. Marked or characterized by changeability or inconstancy; subject to change or fluctuation; variable, changeable.

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

1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. D4 It is rather the reuerence which many times both aduerse parts doe giue to honestie, than any versatile aduantage of their owne carriage.

1659 Quæries Proposalls Armie to Parl. 4 To mold, the versatle hypocrisy of his depraved mind.

1661 J. Glanvill Vanity of Dogmatizing xxii. 220 Those versatile representations in the neck of a Dove.

1682 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Rights Princes (new ed.) Pref. 36 He also observes the Varsatile Temper of the Jesuits.

1791 E. Burke Let. to Member Nat. Assembly in Wks. (1842) I. 482 The versatile tenderness which marks the irregular and capricious feelings of the populace.

1798 J. Grant & W. Leslie Surv. Province 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.].

1801 Farmer's Mag. Jan. 67 Our author..is of such a versatile disposition, that..he states [etc.].

1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. (1856) ix. 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.

in combination.1850 W. M. Thackeray Pendennis II. xxiv. 249 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.

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

1682 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Rights Princes (new ed.) viii. 293 Thomas Becket..was a proud varsatile and factious Man.

1697 J. Evelyn Numismata ix. 315 The French, Versatile, Unconstant.

1854 H. H. Milman Hist. Lat. Christianity III. vii. iv. 207 The versatile people rose on his side [and], drove out the troops.

1882 M. E. Braddon Mt. Royal I. iii. 101 He is too versatile, too soft-hearted and impressionable.

c. Both heterosexual and homosexual. slang.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual orientation > bisexuality > [adjective]

bisexual1906

ambisexual1912

ambisextrous1919

omnifutuant1929

bi1957

versatile1959

AC/DC1960

1959 C. MacInnes Absolute Beginners 64 No one..cares..if you're boy, or girl, or bent, or versatile, or what you are.

1960 M. Spark Ballad of 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; frequently from c1795.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > [adjective] > having several uses

flexible1643

versatile1656

polychrestical1657

pliant1665

flexile1744

general-purpose1851

polychrestic1889

multi-use1912

multi-purpose1920

adaptable1929

multifunction1934

multifunctional1934

multi-utility1985

the world > action or operation > ability > [adjective] > having all-round ability > specifically of abilities or skills

versatile1656

flexile1744

Crichtonian1833

the world > relative properties > relationship > variety > [adjective] > many-sided or having parts

many-headed1537

many-sided1570

fertile-headed1632

versatile1656

multilateral1784

multilineala1800

polycephalic1850

multipolar1855

faceted1862

multicentral1864

arborescent1867

multisegmented1879

multisegmentate1880

multilinear1886

polycentric1887

many-faceted1890

1656 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. II. iv. 41 He was of a versatile wit, and in composure of his speech a difficult adversary.

1667 T. Sprat Hist. Royal-Soc. 18 Disputing is a very good instrument, to sharpen mens wits, and to make them versatil.

1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Odyssey in Iliad & Odyssey II. i. 2 Make the man thy theme, for shrewdness famed And genius versatile.

1796 H. Hunter tr. J.-H. B. de Saint-Pierre Stud. Nature (1799) II. 290 What then is that versatile faculty, called reason?

a1828 H. Neele Lit. Remains 19 Chaucer's genius was vast, versatile and original.

1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. I. 158 A multitude of other subjects, with which his versatile ability made him conversant.

1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People i. §6. 52 His nature was sunny, versatile, artistic.

in extended use.1791 ‘T. Newte’ Prospects & Observ. Tour 171 The physical as well as the moral nature of man is extremely versatile, and accommodating to circumstances.1801 Lusignan IV. 152 Absorbed in meditations and versatile reflections, he wandered, unconscious of the progress of time.

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.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > ability > [adjective] > having all-round ability

various1621

versatile1786

many-sided1823

omnicompetent1827

all-sided1833

polytropic1838

all round1867

1786 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting (ed. 4) II. ii. 95 In 1665 the versatile Gerbier published a piece he called Subsidium Peregrinentibus.

1815 W. H. Ireland Scribbleomania 213 Of this versatile writer, ah! what should be said.

1841 T. B. Macaulay Warren Hastings in Edinb. Rev. Oct. 220 The able and versatile Henry Dundas.

1853 W. M. Thackeray Eng. Humourists vi. 308 The vivid and versatile genius who has touched on almost every subject of literature.

1874 W. Stubbs Constit. Hist. I. xii. 460 He was an able man of business, versatile, politic.

b. Const. in.

ΚΠ

1807 I. D'Israeli Curiosities of Lit. 1st Ser. (ed. 5) I. 22 An individual, however versatile and extensive his genius, would soon be exhausted.

1842 M. R. Mitford in A. G. L'Estrange Life M. R. Mitford (1870) III. ix. 144 O'Connell is versatile in his words and ways, and the Repeal seems to me incomprehensible.

1872 W. Minto Man. Eng. Prose Lit. i. i. 58 He is more versatile in the ‘pitch’ of his style.

II. Capable of turning or swinging physically.

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 Entomology and Ornithology.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > direction > [adjective] > turning or able to face any direction

turnable1483

convertible1526

versable1623

various1629

versatile1658

tropic1677

orientable1912

the world > life > biology > biological processes > movement > [adjective] > turning

versatile1658

1658 E. Phillips New World Eng. Words Versatile, apt to be wound or turned any way.

1671 R. Bohun Disc. Wind 72 A feather, or other versatil body.

1678 Philos. Trans. 1677 (Royal Soc.) 12 930 The Eyes resemble a Lens or Convex Glass set in a Versatile globular Socket.

1826 W. Kirby & W. Spence Introd. Entomol. IV. xliii. 172 Some muscle of this kind must be in Gryllotalpa, and in those that have a versatile head.

1826 W. Kirby & W. Spence Introd. Entomol. IV. xliii. 175 The Head..is sometimes versatile.

1840 Penny Cycl. XVIII. 306/1 Tarsus [in barbets is] shorter than the versatile toe.

1872 E. Coues Key to N. Amer. Birds 200 Hallux of average length,..outer toe more or less perfectly versatile (but never permanently reversed).

b. Botany. Of an anther: swinging or turning about freely on a filament to which it is attached.

ΘΚΠ

the world > plants > part of plant > reproductive part(s) > flower or part containing reproductive organs > [adjective] > having or relating to parts > of or having stamens or pistils > of or having stamens or male > of or having anthers and related parts

incumbent1760

versatile1760

antheral1795

antheriferous1799

monothecal1849

vacillant1860

connectival1866

trajectile1900

monothecous1945

1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. iii. xxii. 223 The Anthera is versatile and incumbent, when it is fastened on at its Side.

1787 E. Darwin et al. tr. C. Linnaeus et al. Families of Plants I. 254 Anthers oblong, versatile.

1830 J. Lindley Introd. Nat. Syst. Bot. 47 Their small round and versatile anthers.

1861 S. Thomson Wanderings among Wild Flowers (rev. ed.) i. 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.

1870 J. D. Hooker Student's Flora Brit. Islands 182 Dipsaceæ,..anthers versatile.

c. Of a leaf: turning either way. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > plants > part of plant > leaf > [adjective] > turning either way

versatile1870

1870 J. D. Hooker Student's Flora Brit. Islands 335 Populas tremula... Leaves 1–4 in., versatile.

Derivatives

ˈversatilely adv.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > ability > [adverb] > in a versatile manner

versatilely1646

1646 J. Gaule Select Cases Conscience 130 [A witch] that works not only darkly and closely, but variously and versatilly, as God will permit [etc.].

1872 M. Collins Two Plunges for Pearl iv An intellect so different from his own—so versatilely fluent, yet passionately obstinate.

ˈversatileness n.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > change > changeableness > [noun]

unstablenessc1340

varyingc1380

uncertaintyc1384

brotelnessc1386

were1390

instabilityc1422

bricklenessa1425

changeability?a1425

changeableness1447

vertibility1447

mutability?a1475

variableness?a1475

inconstance1509

mutationa1542

fickleness1548

variety1548

unconstancy1563

mobility1567

unstability1572

vicissitude1576

variousness1607

inconstancy1613

slipperinessa1618

alterableness1633

versatilousness1640

bottomlessness1642

lability1651

brittlety1652

versatileness1654

fluctuancy1659

fugitivenessa1661

alterability1661

permutability1662

unfixedness1668

mutablenessa1677

flittingnessa1680

frailness1687

flittiness1692

versability1721

plasticity1727

variability1771

unestablishment1776

fluctuabilitya1786

changefulness1791

unsettledness1799

versatility1802

harlequinism1808

fluidity1824

fitfulness1825

sensitiveness1825

insubstantiality1848

contingency1858

rootlessness1859

shiftingness1866

ficklety1888

variancy1888

impredicability1906

proteanism1909

the world > action or operation > ability > [noun] > many-sidedness or versatility

volubility1579

ambidexterity1593

versatilousness1640

versatileness1654

versability1672

versatilitya1773

versatility1798

flexility1815

manysidedness1831

Crichtonism1854

multisidedness1903

omnicompetence1937

the world > space > direction > [noun] > changing to face different direction or turning > swivelling or pivoting > ability

versatileness1654

versability1721

versatility1884

1654 R. Codrington tr. Justinus Hist. viii. 129 According to the versatilness of his wit.

1727 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. II Versatileness, aptness to be turned or wound any way.

1791 J. Learmont Poems Pastoral 20 Versatileness attends him still; A deep inwoven art Conceals..the guile And rancour of his heart.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1917; most recently modified version published online December 2021).

单词	versatile
释义	versatileadj. Brit. /ˈvəːsətʌɪl/, /ˈvəːsətɪl/, U.S. /ˈvərsədl/ Forms: Also 1600s versatle, versatil, varsatile. Etymology: < French versatile (16th cent., = Italian versatile , Spanish versatil , Portuguese versatil ), or < Latin versātilis , < versāre : see verse v.² I. Changeable, inconstant; many-sided. 1. a. Marked or characterized by changeability or inconstancy; subject to change or fluctuation; variable, changeable. 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 1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. D4 It is rather the reuerence which many times both aduerse parts doe giue to honestie, than any versatile aduantage of their owne carriage. View more context for this quotation 1659 Quæries Proposalls Armie to Parl. 4 To mold, the versatle hypocrisy of his depraved mind. 1661 J. Glanvill Vanity of Dogmatizing xxii. 220 Those versatile representations in the neck of a Dove. 1682 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Rights Princes (new ed.) Pref. 36 He also observes the Varsatile Temper of the Jesuits. 1791 E. Burke Let. to Member Nat. Assembly in Wks. (1842) I. 482 The versatile tenderness which marks the irregular and capricious feelings of the populace. 1798 J. Grant & W. Leslie Surv. Province 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.]. 1801 Farmer's Mag. Jan. 67 Our author..is of such a versatile disposition, that..he states [etc.]. 1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. (1856) ix. 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. in combination.1850 W. M. Thackeray Pendennis II. xxiv. 249 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. 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 1682 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Rights Princes (new ed.) viii. 293 Thomas Becket..was a proud varsatile and factious Man. 1697 J. Evelyn Numismata ix. 315 The French, Versatile, Unconstant. 1854 H. H. Milman Hist. Lat. Christianity III. vii. iv. 207 The versatile people rose on his side [and], drove out the troops. 1882 M. E. Braddon Mt. Royal I. iii. 101 He is too versatile, too soft-hearted and impressionable. c. Both heterosexual and homosexual. slang. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual orientation > bisexuality > [adjective] bisexual1906 ambisexual1912 ambisextrous1919 omnifutuant1929 bi1957 versatile1959 AC/DC1960 1959 C. MacInnes Absolute Beginners 64 No one..cares..if you're boy, or girl, or bent, or versatile, or what you are. 1960 M. Spark Ballad of 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; frequently from c1795. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > [adjective] > having several uses flexible1643 versatile1656 polychrestical1657 pliant1665 flexile1744 general-purpose1851 polychrestic1889 multi-use1912 multi-purpose1920 adaptable1929 multifunction1934 multifunctional1934 multi-utility1985 the world > action or operation > ability > [adjective] > having all-round ability > specifically of abilities or skills versatile1656 flexile1744 Crichtonian1833 the world > relative properties > relationship > variety > [adjective] > many-sided or having parts many-headed1537 many-sided1570 fertile-headed1632 versatile1656 multilateral1784 multilineala1800 polycephalic1850 multipolar1855 faceted1862 multicentral1864 arborescent1867 multisegmented1879 multisegmentate1880 multilinear1886 polycentric1887 many-faceted1890 1656 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. II. iv. 41 He was of a versatile wit, and in composure of his speech a difficult adversary. 1667 T. Sprat Hist. Royal-Soc. 18 Disputing is a very good instrument, to sharpen mens wits, and to make them versatil. 1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Odyssey in Iliad & Odyssey II. i. 2 Make the man thy theme, for shrewdness famed And genius versatile. 1796 H. Hunter tr. J.-H. B. de Saint-Pierre Stud. Nature (1799) II. 290 What then is that versatile faculty, called reason? a1828 H. Neele Lit. Remains 19 Chaucer's genius was vast, versatile and original. 1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. I. 158 A multitude of other subjects, with which his versatile ability made him conversant. 1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People i. §6. 52 His nature was sunny, versatile, artistic. in extended use.1791 ‘T. Newte’ Prospects & Observ. Tour 171 The physical as well as the moral nature of man is extremely versatile, and accommodating to circumstances.1801 Lusignan 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. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ability > [adjective] > having all-round ability various1621 versatile1786 many-sided1823 omnicompetent1827 all-sided1833 polytropic1838 all round1867 1786 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting (ed. 4) II. ii. 95 In 1665 the versatile Gerbier published a piece he called Subsidium Peregrinentibus. 1815 W. H. Ireland Scribbleomania 213 Of this versatile writer, ah! what should be said. 1841 T. B. Macaulay Warren Hastings in Edinb. Rev. Oct. 220 The able and versatile Henry Dundas. 1853 W. M. Thackeray Eng. Humourists vi. 308 The vivid and versatile genius who has touched on almost every subject of literature. 1874 W. Stubbs Constit. Hist. I. xii. 460 He was an able man of business, versatile, politic. b. Const. in. ΚΠ 1807 I. D'Israeli Curiosities of Lit. 1st Ser. (ed. 5) I. 22 An individual, however versatile and extensive his genius, would soon be exhausted. 1842 M. R. Mitford in A. G. L'Estrange Life M. R. Mitford (1870) III. ix. 144 O'Connell is versatile in his words and ways, and the Repeal seems to me incomprehensible. 1872 W. Minto Man. Eng. Prose Lit. i. i. 58 He is more versatile in the ‘pitch’ of his style. II. Capable of turning or swinging physically. 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 Entomology and Ornithology. ΘΚΠ the world > space > direction > [adjective] > turning or able to face any direction turnable1483 convertible1526 versable1623 various1629 versatile1658 tropic1677 orientable1912 the world > life > biology > biological processes > movement > [adjective] > turning versatile1658 1658 E. Phillips New World Eng. Words Versatile, apt to be wound or turned any way. 1671 R. Bohun Disc. Wind 72 A feather, or other versatil body. 1678 Philos. Trans. 1677 (Royal Soc.) 12 930 The Eyes resemble a Lens or Convex Glass set in a Versatile globular Socket. 1826 W. Kirby & W. Spence Introd. Entomol. IV. xliii. 172 Some muscle of this kind must be in Gryllotalpa, and in those that have a versatile head. 1826 W. Kirby & W. Spence Introd. Entomol. IV. xliii. 175 The Head..is sometimes versatile. 1840 Penny Cycl. XVIII. 306/1 Tarsus [in barbets is] shorter than the versatile toe. 1872 E. Coues Key to N. Amer. Birds 200 Hallux of average length,..outer toe more or less perfectly versatile (but never permanently reversed). b. Botany. Of an anther: swinging or turning about freely on a filament to which it is attached. ΘΚΠ the world > plants > part of plant > reproductive part(s) > flower or part containing reproductive organs > [adjective] > having or relating to parts > of or having stamens or pistils > of or having stamens or male > of or having anthers and related parts incumbent1760 versatile1760 antheral1795 antheriferous1799 monothecal1849 vacillant1860 connectival1866 trajectile1900 monothecous1945 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. iii. xxii. 223 The Anthera is versatile and incumbent, when it is fastened on at its Side. 1787 E. Darwin et al. tr. C. Linnaeus et al. Families of Plants I. 254 Anthers oblong, versatile. 1830 J. Lindley Introd. Nat. Syst. Bot. 47 Their small round and versatile anthers. 1861 S. Thomson Wanderings among Wild Flowers (rev. ed.) i. 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. 1870 J. D. Hooker Student's Flora Brit. Islands 182 Dipsaceæ,..anthers versatile. c. Of a leaf: turning either way. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > plants > part of plant > leaf > [adjective] > turning either way versatile1870 1870 J. D. Hooker Student's Flora Brit. Islands 335 Populas tremula... Leaves 1–4 in., versatile. Derivatives ˈversatilely adv. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ability > [adverb] > in a versatile manner versatilely1646 1646 J. Gaule Select Cases Conscience 130 [A witch] that works not only darkly and closely, but variously and versatilly, as God will permit [etc.]. 1872 M. Collins Two Plunges for Pearl iv An intellect so different from his own—so versatilely fluent, yet passionately obstinate. ˈversatileness n. ΘΚΠ the world > time > change > changeableness > [noun] unstablenessc1340 varyingc1380 uncertaintyc1384 brotelnessc1386 were1390 instabilityc1422 bricklenessa1425 changeability?a1425 changeableness1447 vertibility1447 mutability?a1475 variableness?a1475 inconstance1509 mutationa1542 fickleness1548 variety1548 unconstancy1563 mobility1567 unstability1572 vicissitude1576 variousness1607 inconstancy1613 slipperinessa1618 alterableness1633 versatilousness1640 bottomlessness1642 lability1651 brittlety1652 versatileness1654 fluctuancy1659 fugitivenessa1661 alterability1661 permutability1662 unfixedness1668 mutablenessa1677 flittingnessa1680 frailness1687 flittiness1692 versability1721 plasticity1727 variability1771 unestablishment1776 fluctuabilitya1786 changefulness1791 unsettledness1799 versatility1802 harlequinism1808 fluidity1824 fitfulness1825 sensitiveness1825 insubstantiality1848 contingency1858 rootlessness1859 shiftingness1866 ficklety1888 variancy1888 impredicability1906 proteanism1909 the world > action or operation > ability > [noun] > many-sidedness or versatility volubility1579 ambidexterity1593 versatilousness1640 versatileness1654 versability1672 versatilitya1773 versatility1798 flexility1815 manysidedness1831 Crichtonism1854 multisidedness1903 omnicompetence1937 the world > space > direction > [noun] > changing to face different direction or turning > swivelling or pivoting > ability versatileness1654 versability1721 versatility1884 1654 R. Codrington tr. Justinus Hist. viii. 129 According to the versatilness of his wit. 1727 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. II Versatileness, aptness to be turned or wound any way. 1791 J. Learmont Poems Pastoral 20 Versatileness attends him still; A deep inwoven art Conceals..the guile And rancour of his heart. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1917; most recently modified version published online December 2021). < adj.1605
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