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variation

Variation means a deviation from the norm, like the variation of colors in nature.

A variation from an accepted standard can be very important. For example, a variation in a heartbeat pattern can tell a doctor that a heart attack might be imminent. The variation in weather temperatures from what is expected indicates that our climate is changing due to global warming. But not all variation is a bad thing. For example, even within breeds, there is a wide variation in the coloration of dogs, a trait that makes each puppy uniquely lovable.

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: variation

1
 n
the process of varying or being varied
2
 n
a repetition of a musical theme in which it is modified or embellished
3
 n
(biology) an organism that has characteristics resulting from chromosomal alteration
4
 n
(astronomy) any perturbation of the mean motion or orbit of a planet or satellite (especially a perturbation of the earth's moon)
5
 n
(ballet) a solo dance or dance figure
6
 n
the angle (at a particular location) between magnetic north and true north
FULL DEFINITIONS OF: variation
1

n the process of varying or being varied

Types:
covariation
(statistics) correlated variation
Type of:
physical process, process
a sustained phenomenon or one marked by gradual changes through a series of states

n an instance of change; the rate or magnitude of change

Synonyms:
fluctuation
Types:
show 11 types...
hide 11 types...
vicissitude
a variation in circumstances or fortune at different times in your life or in the development of something
allomerism
(chemistry) variability in chemical composition without variation in crystalline form
departure, deviation, difference, divergence
a variation that deviates from the standard or norm
permutation, replacement, substitution, switch, transposition
an event in which one thing is substituted for another
business cycle, trade cycle
recurring fluctuations in economic activity consisting of recession and recovery and growth and decline
daily variation
fluctuations that occur between one day and the next
diurnal variation
fluctuations that occur during each day
tide
something that may increase or decrease (like the tides of the sea)
discrepancy, variance, variant
an event that departs from expectations
driftage
the deviation (by a vessel or aircraft) from its intended course due to drifting
flection, flexion, inflection
deviation from a straight or normal course
Type of:
alteration, change, modification
an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another

n the act of changing or altering something slightly but noticeably from the norm or standard

“who is responsible for these variations in taxation?”
Type of:
change
the action of changing something

n an activity that varies from a norm or standard

“any variation in his routine was immediately reported”
Synonyms:
variance
Type of:
activity
any specific behavior

n something a little different from others of the same type

“an emery wheel is the modern variation of a grindstone”
Synonyms:
edition, variant, version
Type of:
type
a subdivision of a particular kind of thing

n an artifact that deviates from a norm or standard

“he patented a variation on the sandal”
Types:
bastard, mongrel
derogatory term for a variation that is not genuine; something irregular or inferior or of dubious origin
Type of:
thing
an artifact
2

n a repetition of a musical theme in which it is modified or embellished

Types:
inversion
(counterpoint) a variation of a melody or part in which ascending intervals are replaced by descending intervals and vice versa
partita
one of the variations contained in a partita
Type of:
idea, melodic theme, musical theme, theme
(music) melodic subject of a musical composition
3

n (biology) an organism that has characteristics resulting from chromosomal alteration

Synonyms:
mutant, mutation, sport
Types:
freak, lusus naturae, monster, monstrosity
a person or animal that is markedly unusual or deformed
leviathan
the largest or most massive thing of its kind
Type of:
being, organism
a living thing that has (or can develop) the ability to act or function independently
4

n (astronomy) any perturbation of the mean motion or orbit of a planet or satellite (especially a perturbation of the earth's moon)

Types:
libration
(astronomy) a real or apparent slow oscillation of a moon or satellite
Type of:
perturbation
(physics) a secondary influence on a system that causes it to deviate slightly
5

n (ballet) a solo dance or dance figure

Synonyms:
pas seul
Type of:
dance, dancing, saltation, terpsichore
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
6

n the angle (at a particular location) between magnetic north and true north

Synonyms:
magnetic declination, magnetic variation
Type of:
angle
the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians
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