See Also: dustbin man(dictionary)
dustbin(dictionary)

variety (iou) and dustbin man (oh)


variety (iou)



variety noun. L15.
[Old & mod. French variete or Latin varietas, from varius VARIOUS + -(i)tas -ITY.]
a. Variation or change of fortune. L15-E17.
b. Tendency to change one's mind; fickleness. M-L16.
c. Dissension, division. Only in M16.
The fact or quality of being varied in colour; variegation. rare. L15-E17.
The fact, quality, or condition of being varied; (a) diversity of Nature or character; absence of monotony, sameness, or uniformity. L15.
requisite variety: see REQUISITE adjective.
R. Ingalls Her work at the studios was..full of variety. J. Updike I loved it all..its social and ethnic variety. Proverb: Variety is the spice of life.
b. In pl. A series or succession of different forms, conditions, etc.; variations. E17.
A number of things, qualities, etc., different or distinct in character; a varied assemblage, number, or quantity of something. Formerly also without article. Treated as sing. or (occas.) pl. L15.
Independent Diverse programmes..to appeal to a wide variety of tastes. Antique Collector A variety of colourful and spectacular styles.
Difference or discrepancy between two or more things, or in the same thing at different times. M16.
A different form of some thing, quality, or condition; a thing which differs or varies from others of the same class or kind; a kind, a sort. E17.
Economist Czech communism would be different from the Russian variety. Independent More varieties of Turkish delight than you ever thought existed.
b. Biology. A taxonomic grouping ranking next below a subspecies (where present) or species, whose members differ from others of the same subspecies or species in minor but permanent or heritable characters (cf. FORM noun 4d, SUBSPECIES); the organisms which compose such a grouping. Also, a plant or animal which varies in some trivial respect from its immediate parent or type. E17.
M. Kramer The preponderant grape in sherry is the Palomino variety.
c. Philately. (A stamp belonging to) a set or group of postage stamps differing slightly from others of the same issue in colour, paper, etc., esp. as a result of a deliberate action during production. M19.
Theatrical or Music hall Entertainment of a light and varied character, including songs, dances, comedy acts, etc.; such Entertainment presented on Radio or Television. E20.
attrib.: variety artist, variety performance, variety show, variety theatre, etc.
Comb.: variety meats N. Amer. offal; variety shop, variety store (chiefly N. Amer.) a shop selling many kinds of small items.

dustbin man (oh)



n [C]
a dustman