— miscellaneously , adv. — miscellaneousness , n.
/mis'euh lay"nee euhs/ , adj.
1. consisting of members or elements of different kinds; of mixed character: a book of miscellaneous essays on American history.
2. having various qualities, aspects, or subjects: a miscellaneous discussion.
[ 1630-40; miscellaneus mixed, of all sorts, equiv. to miscell ( us ) mixed + -an ( us ) -AN + -eus -EOUS ]
Syn. 1. divers, varied, heterogeneous, diversified. MISCELLANEOUS, INDISCRIMINATE, PROMISCUOUS refer to mixture and lack of order, and may imply lack of discernment or taste. MISCELLANEOUS emphasizes the idea of the mixture of things of different kinds or natures: a miscellaneous assortment of furniture. INDISCRIMINATE emphasizes lack of discrimination in choice (and consequent confusion): indiscriminate praise. PROMISCUOUS is even stronger than INDISCRIMINATE in its emphasis of complete absence of discrimination: promiscuous in his friendships.