va·ri·e·ty
(və-rī́ĭ-tē)
[French variété, from Old French, from Latin varietās, varietāt-, from varius, various.]
noun: pl., -ties.
- The quality or condition of being various or varied; diversity.
- A number or collection of varied things, especially of a particular group; an assortment: brought home a variety of snacks.
- A group that is distinguished from other groups by a specific characteristic or set of characteristics.
- Biology
- A taxonomic subdivision of a species consisting of naturally occurring or selectively bred populations or individuals that differ from the remainder of the species in certain minor characteristics.
- An organism, especially a plant, belonging to such a subdivision.
- A variety show.