Variegation

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˌver.i.əˈɡeɪ.ʃən/

Definitions

1. The appearance of different colors or patterns on a surface, especially in plants where leaves or flowers display streaks, spots, or sections of contrasting hues
2. The presence of contrasting colors or patterns on a surface, frequently found in plant leaves or flowers that display multiple shades and designs
3. The condition characterized by the display of distinct colors or patterns on a surface, often evident in plants where foliage or blossoms exhibit variations in hue and design

Etymology: Variegation is a plain formation: it is the noun built from "variegate" with the suffix "-ion", and the verb itself was made from the Latin "variegare", meaning "to make varied or diverse." That Latin verb grew from "varius", meaning "various, diverse, spotted," combined with "agere", "to do or make," so the whole word carries the idea of making something varied in appearance. The Latin root "varius" also gave English "various" and "vary," which is why the family of words shares the sense of difference and change. The path to English ran through Late Latin "variegare" and the Old French "-ation" ending, so the noun reached English as a set of Latin parts assembled into a single process name.

Synonyms: diversification, variety, multicoloration, mottling, heterogeneity

Antonyms: uniformity, monotony, homogeneity, sameness