variation
var·i·a·tion / ˌve(ə)rēˈāshən/ • n. 1. a change or difference in condition, amount, or level, typically with certain limits: regional variations in house prices| the figures showed marked variation from year to year. ∎ Astron. a deviation of a celestial body from its mean orbit or motion. ∎ Math. a change in the value of a function due to small changes in the values of its argument or arguments. ∎ (also mag·net·ic var·i·a·tion) the angular difference between true north and magnetic north at a particular place. ∎ Biol. the occurrence of an organism in more than one distinct color or form. 2. a different or distinct form or version of something: hurling is an Irish variation of field hockey. ∎ Mus. a version of a theme, modified in melody, rhythm, harmony, or ornamentation, so as to present it in a new but still recognizable form: there is an eleven-bar theme followed by seven variations and a coda | fig. variations on the perennial theme of marital discord. ∎ Ballet a solo dance as part of a performance.DERIVATIVES: var·i·a·tion·al / -shənl/ adj.
