diversity or variety in character or appearance; specif., varied coloration
variegation in American English
(ˌvɛəriɪˈɡeiʃən, ˌvɛərɪˈɡei-)
noun
1.
an act of variegating
2.
the state or condition of being variegated; varied coloration
Word origin
[1640–50; variegate + -ion]This word is first recorded in the period 1640–50. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: handicap, intrigue, liaison, submarine, tonic-ion is a suffix, appearing in words of Latin origin, denoting action or condition, usedin Latin and in English to form nouns from stems of Latin adjectives (communion; union), verbs (legion; opinion), and esp. past participles (allusion; creation; fusion; notion; torsion)
Examples of 'variegation' in a sentence
variegation
Pale variegation will give you brightness too.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The catwalk labels have finally caught up with this variegation.
Times, Sunday Times (2018)
There are different kinds with bronze, yellow, white variegation, blue and silver foliage.
The Sun (2009)
Plants can lose their variegation, with branches and foliage turning plain green.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The heaped eggs catch the light in subtle variegation.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Forms of variegation differ enormously.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Silver foliage and leaves with white variegation will also add a twilight glow to a border.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Fortunately, juvenile foliage has the best variegation, so annual pollarding will stop it reaching 35ft and more.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
This cultivar has attractive creamywhite variegation on the mid-green leaves, which becomes tinged with pink in winter.