variously
Meaning
in several different ways or for several different reasons
at various times; in various cases
Structure
Usage
the term has been variously interpreted by scholars.
he has worked variously as a teacher, a journalist, and a diplomat.
the data is variously attributed to different sources.
Etymology
the word 'variously' has its roots in the latin adjective 'varius', meaning diverse, changeable, or variegated. the suffix '-osus' was added to form 'varius' into a latin adjective, which evolved into the english '-ous', creating 'various' to mean characterized by diversity or difference. finally, the old english adverbial suffix '-lice', modernized to '-ly', was appended to form the adverb, describing an action performed in diverse manners or applicable in different cases. the journey from the literal latin sense of 'speckled' to the modern abstract meaning of 'in several different ways' illustrates a broadening from physical appearance to manner and circumstance.
Analysis
vari (from latin 'varius', meaning diverse, speckled, or changeable, serving as the core root); ous (from latin '-osus', a suffix forming adjectives meaning 'full of' or 'characterized by'); ly (from old english '-lice', a suffix forming adverbs from adjectives).