Variety
[və'raɪətɪ] or [və'raɪəti]
Definition
(noun.) a difference that is usually pleasant; 'he goes to France for variety'; 'it is a refreshing change to meet a woman mechanic'.
(noun.) (biology) a taxonomic category consisting of members of a species that differ from others of the same species in minor but heritable characteristics; 'varieties are frequently recognized in botany'.
Edited by Ian--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) The quality or state of being various; intermixture or succession of different things; diversity; multifariousness.
(n.) That which is various.
(n.) A number or collection of different things; a varied assortment; as, a variety of cottons and silks.
(n.) Something varying or differing from others of the same general kind; one of a number of things that are akin; a sort; as, varieties of wood, land, rocks, etc.
(n.) An individual, or group of individuals, of a species differing from the rest in some one or more of the characteristics typical of the species, and capable either of perpetuating itself for a period, or of being perpetuated by artificial means; hence, a subdivision, or peculiar form, of a species.
(n.) In inorganic nature, one of those forms in which a species may occur, which differ in minor characteristics of structure, color, purity of composition, etc.
Checked by Dick
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Diversity, difference.[2]. Multiplicity, multiformity, multifariousness.
Editor: Maggie
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Difference, diversity, medley, miscellany, multiplicity, multiformity,abnormity
ANT:Uniformity, species, type, specimen
Checker: Velma
Definition
n. the quality of bring various: difference: many-sidedness versatility: a collection of different things: one of a number of things nearly allied to each other: one or more individuals of a species which owing to accidental causes differ from the normal form in minor points:—pl. Varī′eties.—adj. Vārī′etal (biol.) having the character of a zoological or botanical variety.—adv. Varī′etally.—ns. Varī′ety-show a mixed entertainment comprising dances songs negro-minstrelsy farces short sketches &c.; Varī′ety-thē′atre a theatre devoted to variety-shows.—adj. Vā′riform varied in form.—v.t. Vā′rify to variegate.
Inputed by Gerard
Examples
- American deposits in the Miocene display a great variety of camels, giraffe camels with long necks, gazelle camels, llamas, and true camels. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- However opinions may differ on a variety of subjects, I should think it would be universally agreed, Sir Leicester, that I am not much to boast of. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Commercial soaps are made from a great variety of substances, such as tallow, lard, castor oil, coconut oil, olive oil, etc. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- When one thinks of it, how astonishing a variety of nature! Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- They have not done till this generation; but I feel as if it were my vocation to turn out a new variety of the Yorke species. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Don't look forward to variety, but you'll have excellence. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- The place is stored with great variety of sextants, quadrants, telescopes, astrolabes, and other astronomical instruments. Jonathan Swift. Gulliver's Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World.
- When the expense of fashionable dress is very great, the variety must be very small. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- There was a great quantity and variety of stuff, as the Claytons had expected a possible five to eight years' residence in their new home. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- This paste answers a variety of purposes. William K. David. Secrets of Wise Men, Chemists and Great Physicians.
- Since Oersted’s first electric magnet in 1820, electric magnets have been made in a variety of forms and for many different purposes. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- From the strong principle of inheritance, any selected variety will tend to propagate its new and modified form. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- He was a good musician, a skilful draughtsman and painter, something of a poet, and had shown considerable talent in designing and building a variety of toy machines. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- There were also a great variety of flying cockroaches. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- He wanted to find the most homogeneous variety. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- I have as yet spoken as if the varieties of the same species were invariably fertile when intercrossed. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- The difficulty in distinguishing variable species is largely due to the varieties mocking, as it were, other species of the same genus. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- In this respect, therefore, the species of the larger genera resemble varieties, more than do the species of the smaller genera. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- Many varieties of coal produce a quantity of fine dust which settles in the roadways, on roof, and sides, and floor. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Several cases are on record of the same species presenting varieties in the upper and lower parts of the same formation. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- If such gradations were not all fully preserved, transitional varieties would merely appear as so many new, though closely allied species. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- In genera having more than the average number of species in any country, the species of these genera have more than the average number of varieties. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- If, then, it varied, natural selection would probably favour different varieties in the different islands. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- He studied the sp ecies in their natural setting, the habitat, and range, and habits, and food of the different varieties. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- Independently of the question of fertility, the offspring of species and of varieties when crossed may be compared in several other respects. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- I have met with striking instances of the rule in the case of varieties intermediate between well-marked varieties in the genus Balanus. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- In one district several varieties occurred, and of these one alone resembled, to a certain extent, the common Ithomia of the same district. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- No; but it can give varieties of pain, and prevent us from breaking our hearts with a single tyrant master-torture. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Rival companies have sprung up, using slightly different varieties of apparatus. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- There are several varieties, as the Irish greyhound, the Scottish, the Russian, the Italian and the Turkish. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
Edited by Babbage