variegated-leafed
|var-i-e-ga-ted-leafed|
/ˈvɛr.i.ə.ˌɡeɪ.tɪd liːft/
having variegated leaves
Etymology
'variegated-leafed' originates from English, specifically the combination of 'variegated' and 'leafed', where 'variegated' ultimately comes from Latin 'varius' meaning 'various' and 'leafed' comes from Old English 'lēaf' meaning 'leaf'.
'variegated' developed from Latin 'varius' → Medieval Latin 'variegatus' → Old French/Middle English forms (e.g. Middle English 'variegaten') and eventually became modern English 'variegated'; 'leafed' derives from Old English 'lēaf' → Middle English 'leaf' with the adjectival/past participle suffix '-ed' forming 'leafed'.
Initially, elements meant 'various' (for 'variegated') and 'leaf' (for 'leafed'); over time the combined form came to mean specifically 'having leaves of various colors or markings' rather than simply 'various' plus 'having leaves'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having leaves that display variegation—marked by patches, streaks, edges, or zones of different colors (e.g., white, yellow, cream, or lighter/darker greens).
The variegated-leafed plant brightened the windowsill with its cream-and-green foliage.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/06 14:56