Capable of turning; freely movable; as, a versatile anther, which is fixed at one point to the filament, and hence is very easily turned around; a versatile toe of a bird.
a. (L. versatillis, turning around) turning freely on its support, as an anther attached near the middle and capable of swinging freely on the filament.
An anther attached at or near its middle to the filament.
Structure, such as an anther, that is attached at its midpoint.
(L. versatillis: mobile, that turns easily) adj. Turning freely on its support, attached near the middle rather that at one end, as an anther attached near the middle and capable of swinging freely on the filament. Cf. basifixed and dorsifixed.
changeable or inconstant; "versatile moods"
competent in many areas and able to turn with ease from one thing to another; "a versatile writer"
able to move freely in all directions; "an owl's versatile toe can move backward and forward"; "an insect's versatile antennae can move up and down or laterally"; "a versatile anther of a flower moves freely in the wind"
of the anthers, attached to a fine tip of the filament and able to pivot
when the anther is so connected to the filament that it swings freely, as if balanced on a pivot.
of anthers, swinging freely about the point of attachment to the filament, which is approximately central. cf. basifixed, medifixed.
According to Webster, versatile means capable to be turn around, changable, cariable, unsteady. Applied to a physical device, this may indicate one of its good properties.