versĭcŏlor, ōris (abl. versicolori, Liv. 7, 10: versicolore, Prop. 4, 7, 50; Ov. F. 5, 356; post-class. collat. form of the nomsing. versĭcŏlōrus, Prud. adv. Symm. 2, 56; neutr. versicolorum, Dig. 32, 1, 70, § 12 Momms.; and -cŏlōrĭus, Dig. 34, 2, 32, § 6), adj. [verso-color], that changes its color, of changeable color; of various colors, partycolored (class.).
- I. Lit.: plumae versicolores, * Cic. Fin. 3, 5, 18: pavo, Tert. Pall. 3: vestimentum, of divers colors, party-colored, Liv 34, 1, 3; cf. Dig. 32, 1, 70, § 12: vestis, Liv. 7, 10, 7; Quint. 10, 1, 33: arma, Verg. A. 10, 181: cultus Florae, Ov. F. 5, 356: poma, Col. 3, 21, 3.
Subst.: versĭcŏlōrĭa, ium, n., dyed stuffs, colored woolens. constabat apud veteres lanae appellatione versicoloria non contineri, Dig. 32, 1, 70, § 12; 34, 2, 32, § 6.
Esp., party-colored sails, Plin. 19, 1, 5, § 22.
- * II. Trop.: translucida et versicolor quorundam elocutio, Quint. 8, praef. § 20.