Main Entry: ver·sa·tile

Pronunciation: \ˈvər-sə-t^əl, especially British -ˌtī(-ə)l\

Function: adjective

Etymology: French or Latin; French, from Latin versatilis turning easily, from versare to turn, frequentative of vertere

Date: 1605

1 : changing or fluctuating readily : variable <a versatile disposition>
2 : embracing a variety of subjects, fields, or skills; also : turning with ease from one thing to another
3 a (1) : capable of turning forward or backward : reversible <a versatile toe of a bird> (2) : capable of moving laterally and up and down <versatile antennae> b of an anther : having the filaments attached at or near the middle so as to swing freely
4 : having many uses or applications <versatile building material>

— ver·sa·tile·ly \-t^əl-(l)ē, -ˌtī(-ə)l-lē\ adverb

— ver·sa·tile·ness \-t^əl-nəs, -ˌtī(-ə)l-nəs\ noun