versatile
English
Etymology
From Latin versātilis (“turning easily”), from versātus, past participle of versō (“I turn, change”), frequentative of vertō (“I turn”).
Pronunciation
- (General American, Canada) IPA(key): /ˈvɝsətl̩/
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈvɜːsətaɪl/, [ˈvɜːsətaɪɫ]
Adjective
versatile (comparative more versatile, superlative most versatile)
- Capable of doing many things competently.
- Having varied uses or many functions.
- Changeable or inconstant.
- (biology) Capable of moving freely in all directions.
- 1996, William G. D'Arcy, William G. D'Arcy, Richard C. Keating, editor, The anther: form, function, and phylogeny:
- The versatile anther is an important step up in flowering plant evolution and it may be the most widespread of all simple anther types.
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- (BDSM) Being a switch; capable of taking either a dominant or a submissive role.
- 2004, "queenchaser1158", Horny Versatile TV/TS Wanted in Phoenix (on newsgroup alt.personals.gay)
- (gay slang) Capable of taking both a top and bottom role.
Derived terms
Translations
capable of doing many things competently
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having varied uses or many functions
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changeable or inconstant
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biology: capable of moving freely in all directions
gay sexual slang: capable of taking both a top and bottom role
Further reading
- versatile in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
- versatile in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
- versatile at OneLook Dictionary Search
French
Pronunciation
Audio (file)
Italian
Etymology
From Latin versatilis, from versare (“to turn, to twist”).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): [verˈsaː.t̪i.le], /verˈsatile/
Adjective
versatile (masculine and feminine plural versatili)
Derived terms
Latin
Adjective
versātile
- nominative neuter singular of versātilis
- accusative neuter singular of versātilis
- vocative neuter singular of versātilis
Romanian
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /versaˈtile/
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