diversity
UK[daɪˈvɜːsəti]US[dɪˈvɜːrsəti]
n
the fact of including many different types of people or things
n
the quality or state of having many different forms, types, ideas, etc.
Morpheme Breakdown
di
vers
ity
di
apart
vers
turn
ity
noun suffix
Etymology
The word "diversity" has a literal core meaning of "a state of being turned apart." It entered English in the 14th century via Old French diversité, tracing back to Latin diversitatem, the noun form of diversus meaning "turned different ways" or "various." The Latin root diversus itself is built from the prefix dis- (apart) and vertere (to turn). This concrete image of turning in separate directions evolved logically into the modern abstract concept of variety and difference among members of a group. The suffix -ity solidifies this concept as a noun denoting the quality or condition of that varied state.
Analysis
Structure: di (apart) + vers (turn) + ity (noun suffix)
di: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "apart, in different directions."
vers: Latin origin, from the root of vertere, meaning "to turn."
ity: Latin suffix -itas, forming nouns indicating a state or condition.
Examples
The university is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion.
There is a great diversity of opinion on this political issue.
The island's ecological diversity attracts biologists from around the world.