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miscellaneousness

 - 3 dictionary results

mis⋅cel⋅la⋅ne⋅ous

  [mis-uh-ley-nee-uhs]
Use miscellaneousness in a Sentence
–adjective
1. consisting of members or elements of different kinds; of mixed character: a book of miscellaneous essays on American history.
2. having various qualities, aspects, or subjects: a miscellaneous discussion.
Origin:
1630–40; < L miscellāneus mixed, of all sorts, equiv. to miscell(us) mixed + -ān(us) -an + -eus -eous

Related forms:
mis⋅cel⋅la⋅ne⋅ous⋅ly, adverb
mis⋅cel⋅la⋅ne⋅ous⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. divers, varied, heterogeneous, diversified. Miscellaneous, indiscriminate, promiscuous refer to mixture and lack of order, and may imply lack of discernment or taste. Miscellaneous emphasizes the idea of the mixture of things of different kinds or natures: a miscellaneous assortment of furniture. Indiscriminate emphasizes lack of discrimination in choice (and consequent confusion): indiscriminate praise. Promiscuous is even stronger than indiscriminate in its emphasis of complete absence of discrimination: promiscuous in his friendships.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To miscellaneousness
mis·cel·la·ne·ous   (mĭs'ə-lā'nē-əs)   
adj.  

  1. Made up of a variety of parts or ingredients.

  2. Having a variety of characteristics, abilities, or appearances.

  3. Concerned with diverse subjects or aspects.


[From Latin miscellāneus, from miscellus, mixed, from miscēre, to mix; see meik- in Indo-European roots.]
mis'cel·la'ne·ous·ly adv., mis'cel·la'ne·ous·ness n.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean consisting of a number of different kinds. Miscellaneous implies a varied, often haphazard combination: is selling postcards and miscellaneous novelties.
Heterogeneous emphasizes diversity and dissimilarity: a heterogeneous urban population.
Mixed suggests a combination of differing but not necessarily conflicting elements: a mixed program of baroque and contemporary music.
Varied stresses absence of uniformity: "The assembly was large and varied, containing clergy and laity, men and women" (Nicholas P.S. Wisemen).
Assorted often suggests the purposeful arrangement of different but complementary elements: a pretty arrangement of assorted flowers.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

miscellaneous 
1637, from L. miscellaneus, from miscellus "mixed," from miscere "to mix." Miscellany "a mixture, medley" is from 1599, from L. miscellanea "a writing on miscellaneous subjects," neut. pl. of miscellaneus.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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