1. versatile(s = adj.all) various - having great diversity or variety; "his various achievements are impressive"; "his vast and versatile erudition"
Derived form noun versatility1
2. versatile(s = adj.all) - changeable or inconstant; "versatile moods"
3. versatile(s = adj.all) - competent in many areas and able to turn with ease from one thing to another; "a versatile writer"
Derived form noun versatility1
4. versatile(s = adj.all) - able to move freely in all directions; "an owl's versatile toe can move backward and forward"; "an insect's versatile antennae can move up and down or laterally"; "a versatile anther of a flower moves freely in the wind"
1. Capable of being turned round. Harte. [1913 Webster]
2. Liable to be turned in opinion; changeable; variable; unsteady; inconstant; as, a versatile disposition. [1913 Webster]
3. Turning with ease from one thing to another; readily applied to a new task, or to various subjects; many-sided; as, versatile genius; a versatile politician. [1913 Webster]
"Conspicuous among the youths of high promise . . . was the quick and versatile [Charles] Montagu." [1913 Webster]
4. Capable of turning; freely movable; as, a versatile anther, which is fixed at one point to the filament, and hence is very easily turned around; a versatile toe of a bird. [1913 Webster]
versatile, adj.
1 turning easily or readily from one subject or occupation to another; capable of dealing with many subjects (a versatile mind).
2 (of a device etc.) having many uses.
3 Bot. & Zool. moving freely about or up and down on a support (versatile antenna).
4 archaic changeable, inconstant.
Derivative:
versatilely adv. versatility n.
Etymology:
F versatile or L versatilis (as VERSANT)
N changeableness, mutability, inconstancy, versatility, mobility, instability, unstable equilibrium, vacillation, fluctuation, vicissitude, alternation, restlessness, fidgets, disquiet, disquietude, inquietude, unrest, agitation, moon, Proteus, chameleon, quicksilver, shifting sands, weathercock, harlequin, Cynthia of the minute, April showers, wheel of Fortune, transientness, changeable, changeful, changing, mutable, variable, checkered, ever changing, protean, proteiform, versatile, unstaid, inconstant, unsteady, unstable, unfixed, unsettled, fluctuating, restless, agitated, erratic, fickle, irresolute, capricious, touch and go, inconsonant, fitful, spasmodic, vibratory, vagrant, wayward, desultory, afloat, alternating, alterable, plastic, mobile, transient, wavering, seesaw, off and on, a rolling stone gathers no moss, pictra mossa non fa muschis, honores mutant mores, varium et mutabile semper femina.