VERSATILE


Meaning of VERSATILE in English

— versatilely , adv. — versatility, versatileness , n.

/verr"seuh tl/ or, esp. Brit., /-tuyl'/ , adj.

1. capable of or adapted for turning easily from one to another of various tasks, fields of endeavor, etc.: a versatile writer.

2. having or capable of many uses: a versatile tool.

3. Bot. attached at or near the middle so as to swing freely, as an anther.

4. Zool. turning either forward or backward: a versatile toe.

5. variable or changeable, as in feeling, purpose, or policy: versatile moods.

[ 1595-1605; versatilis revolving, many-sided, equiv. to versat ( us ) (ptp. of versare, freq. of vertere to turn; see VERSE, -ATE 1 ) + -ilis -ILE ]

Syn. 1, 2. adaptable, all-around. 2. handy.

Random House Webster's Unabridged English dictionary.      Полный английский словарь Вебстер - Random House .