variety
/vəˈraɪətɪ/noun
(pl. -ies)
1
- mass noun the quality or state of being different or diverse; the absence of uniformity, sameness, or monotony变化; 多样性：
it's the variety that makes my job so enjoyable.
正是因为变化多才使得我的工作如此有趣。
1.1
a variety of
a number or range of things of the same general class that are different or distinct in character or quality种种：the centre offers a variety of leisure activities.
该中心提供多种休闲活动。
1.2
- count noun a thing which differs in some way from others of the same general class or sort; a type品种：
fifty varieties of fresh and frozen pasta.
50种新鲜和冷冻的意式面食。
1.3
- a form of television or theatre entertainment consisting of a series of different types of act, such as singing, dancing, and comedy杂耍; 综艺节目：
as modifier a variety show.综艺表演。
2
- Biology a taxonomic category that ranks below subspecies (where present) or species, its members differing from others of the same subspecies or species in minor but permanent or heritable characteristics. Varieties are more often recognized in botany, in which they are designated in the style Apium graveolens var. dulce【生】（植物）品种。比较FORM （义项3）和 SUBSPECIES.
2.1
- a cultivated form of a plant植物栽培品种。参见CULTIVAR.
2.2
- a plant or animal which varies in some trivial respect from its immediate parent or type变种。
短语
variety is the spice of life
- proverb new and exciting experiences make life more interesting〈谚〉丰富多彩为生活添趣。
词源
late 15th cent.: from French variété or Latin varietas, from varius （see VARIOUS）.