Versicolor

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Exhibiting a multitude of different colors or shades throughout its form
2. Showing a range of different colors or tints across the surface
3. Displaying multiple colors in a pattern or arrangement throughout

Etymology: "Versicolor" is a Latin compound: "versus" (turned, changed) combined with "color" (color). The "versi-" element is the same root that gives English "verse," "version," and "reverse," all from the idea of turning or turning around. Literally, the word describes something whose color has been turned or changed, so that it shows more than one hue. The word appears in English mainly as a technical term in botany, zoology and mineralogy, where describing a species or specimen as "versicolor" tells a reader that its coloring varies across the body or surface. Naturalists in the scientific tradition of Linnaeus, who coined many species epithets from Latin, used it in this way. The most familiar modern example is the iris "Iris versicolor," the blue flag iris, whose petals show mixed shades of blue, violet and white.

Synonyms: multicolored, variegated, polychrome, dappled, mottled

Antonyms: monochrome, uniform, solid, plain, single-colored