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variegate

 [vair-ee-i-geyt, vair-i-geyt]   Origin

var·i·e·gate

   [vair-ee-i-geyt, vair-i-geyt]
verb (used with object), var·i·e·gat·ed, var·i·e·gat·ing.
1.
to make varied in appearance, as by adding different colors.
2.
to give variety to; diversify.
Origin:
1645–55; < Late Latin variegātus (past participle of variegāre to make (something) look varied), equivalent to Latin vari(us) various + -eg- (combining form of agere to do; see agent) + -ātus -ate

Related forms
var·i·e·ga·tor, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Variegate is one of our favorite verbs.
So is bowdlerise. Does it mean:
to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable.
to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
variegate (ˈvɛərɪˌɡeɪt)
 
—vb
1.  to alter the appearance of, esp by adding different colours
2.  to impart variety to
 
[C17: from Late Latin variegāre, from Latin varius diverse, various + agere to make]
 
varie'gation
 
—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

variegate
"to mark with different colors," 1646 (implied in variegation), from L.L. variegatus "made of various sorts or colors," pp. of variegare "diversify with different colors," from varius "spotted, changing, varying" (see vary) + root of agere "to drive" (see act).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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