Word of the Day

Tuesday, November 12, 2002

multifarious

\muhl-tuh-FAIR-ee-uhs\ , adjective;

Having great diversity or variety; of various kinds; diversified.

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Quotes:

She is good at constructing a long, multifarious narrative, weaving many minor stories into one, so that you are left with a sense of the fluidity and ambiguity of historical interpretation.

-- Jason Cowley, "It's bright clever... but the result is academic", The Observer, May 27, 2001

Men's opinions, accordingly, on what is laudable or blamable, are affected by all the multifarious causes which influence their wishes in regard to the conduct of others, and which are as numerous as those which determine their wishes on any other subject.

-- John Stuart Mill, On Liberty

But as he reached the verge of the lawn and vaulted the retaining wall there, crossed the flagstone walkway and started up the steps of the ad building, the multifarious marvel of his congested brain surprised him--the apes flew right out of his head and he was thinking about California.

-- T. Coraghessan Boyle, Riven Rock

Origin:

Multifarious derives from Latin multifariam, "on many sides; in many places."