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variegate

 - 3 dictionary results

var⋅i⋅e⋅gate

  [vair-ee-i-geyt, vair-i-geyt]
Use variegate in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -gat⋅ed, -gat⋅ing.
1. to make varied in appearance, as by adding different colors.
2. to give variety to; diversify.
Origin:
1645–55; < LL variegātus (ptp. of variegāre to make (something) look varied), equiv. to L vari(us) various + -eg- (comb. 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. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To variegate
var·i·e·gate   (vâr'ē-ĭ-gāt', vâr'ĭ-gāt', vār'-)   
tr.v.   var·i·e·gat·ed, var·i·e·gat·ing, var·i·e·gates

  1. To change the appearance of, especially by marking with different colors; streak.

  2. To give variety to; make varied.


[From Late Latin variegātus, past participle of variegāre : Latin varius, various + Latin agere, to do, drive; see ag- in Indo-European roots.]
var'i·e·ga'tor n.
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

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, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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