Various, a.
Etymology: [L. varius. Cf. Vair.]
1. Different; diverse; several; manifold; as, men of various names; various occupations; various colors. So many and so various laws are given. Milton. A wit as various, gay, grave, sage, or wild. Byron.
2. Changeable; uncertain; inconstant; variable. A man so various, that he seemed to be Not one, but all mankind's epitome. Dryden. The names of mixed modes . . . are very various. Locke.
3. Variegated; diversified; not monotonous. A happy rural seat of various view. Milton.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for various; he lists it under heterogeneous.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.