diversity

noun

Etymology: From Middle English diversite, from Old French diversité, from Latin dīversitās, equivalent to diverse + -ity. Displaced native Old English mislīcnes.

1. The quality of being diverse or different; a difference or unlikeness.

   “From this view of the case, my friends, I am driven irresistibly to the conclusion that diversity, dissimilarity, variety in all our local and domestic institutions, is the great safeguard of our liberties”

   “In much she reminded me constantly of my own lost child; in other ways she attracted me by her diversity.”

2. A variety; diverse types or examples.

   “Hendryx has laid down eight tracks that flow seamlessly through funk, disco, gospel, rock and reggae, with nary a false step along the way. She is at home in this diversity of styles because she has paid her dues in all of them: from her days as one of the dynamoes of Labelle through collaborations with rock band Talking Heads, funk band Cameo […]”

   “The San Juan market is Mexico City's most famous deli of exotic meats, where an adventurous shopper can hunt down hard-to-find critters such as ostrich, wild boar and crocodile. Only the city zoo offers greater species diversity.”

3. Equal-opportunity inclusion.

   “Bakke has shaped a precarious context for diversity initiatives in higher education. On the one hand, the U.S. Supreme Court has reasoned that race may serve a purpose in the admissions process; however, race may not be used as a corrective measure, such as by establishing quotas.”

   “Diversity is now a big industry — about $8 billion per year gets spent on diversity trainings in America — and parents might be feeling blindsided by the rapid changes, many of which came after last year’s George Floyd protests.”