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variational

 - 5 dictionary results

var⋅i⋅a⋅tion

  [vair-ee-ey-shuhn]
Use variational in a Sentence
–noun
1. the act, process, or accident of varying in condition, character, or degree: Prices are subject to variation.
2. an instance of this: There is a variation in the quality of fabrics in this shipment.
3. amount, rate, extent, or degree of change: a temperature variation of 40° in a particular climate.
4. a different form of something; variant.
5. Music.
a. the transformation of a melody or theme with changes or elaborations in harmony, rhythm, and melody.
b. a varied form of a melody or theme, esp. one of a series of such forms developing the capacities of the subject.
6. Ballet. a solo dance, esp. one forming a section of a pas de deux.
7. Astronomy. any deviation from the mean orbit of a heavenly body, esp. of a planetary or satellite orbit.
8. Also called magnetic declination, magnetic variation. Navigation. the angle between the geographic and the magnetic meridian at a given point, expressed in plus degrees east or minus degrees west of true north. Compare deviation (def. 4).
9. Biology. a difference or deviation in structure or character from others of the same species or group.
Origin:
1350–1400; < L variātiōn- (s. of variātiō), equiv. to variāt(us) (see variate ) + -iōn- -ion; r. ME variacioun < AF < L, as above

Related forms:
var⋅i⋅a⋅tion⋅al, var⋅i⋅a⋅tive  [vair-ee-ey-tiv] , adjective
var⋅i⋅a⋅tion⋅al⋅ly, var⋅i⋅a⋅tive⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. mutation, alteration, modification; deviation, divergence, difference.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To variational
var·i·a·tion   (vâr'ē-ā'shən, vār'-)   
n.  

    1. The act, process, or result of varying.

    2. The state or fact of being varied. See Synonyms at difference.

    3. Marked difference or deviation from the normal or recognized form, function, or structure.

    4. An organism or plant exhibiting such difference or deviation.

    5. A form that is an altered version of a given theme, diverging from it by melodic ornamentation and by changes in harmony, rhythm, or key.

    6. One of a series of forms based on a single theme.

  2. The extent or degree to which something varies: a variation of ten pounds in weight.

  3. Magnetic declination.

  4. Something slightly different from another of the same type.

  5. Biology

    1. Marked difference or deviation from the normal or recognized form, function, or structure.

    2. An organism or plant exhibiting such difference or deviation.

    3. A form that is an altered version of a given theme, diverging from it by melodic ornamentation and by changes in harmony, rhythm, or key.

    4. One of a series of forms based on a single theme.

  6. Mathematics A function that relates the values of one variable to those of other variables.

  7. Music

    1. A form that is an altered version of a given theme, diverging from it by melodic ornamentation and by changes in harmony, rhythm, or key.

    2. One of a series of forms based on a single theme.

  8. A solo dance, especially one forming part of a larger work.

var'i·a'tion·al adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

variation 
c.1386, from O.Fr. variation, from L. variationem (nom. variatio) "a difference, variation, change," from variatus, pp. of variare "to change" (see vary). The musical sense is attested from 1801.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: var·i·a·tion
Pronunciation: "ver-E-'A-sh&n, "var-
Function: noun
1 : divergence in one or more characteristicsof an organism or biotype from those typical of or usual for its group
2 : something (as an individual or group) that exhibits variation —var·i·a·tion·al /-shn&l, -sh&n-&l/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

variation var·i·a·tion (vâr'ē-ā'shən, vār'-)
n.

  1. The act, process, or result of varying.

  2. The state or fact of being varied.

  3. The extent or degree to which something varies.

  4. Something slightly different from another of the same type.

  5. Marked difference or deviation from the normal or recognized form, function, or structure.

  6. An organism exhibiting such difference or deviation.

  7. A function that relates the values of one variable to those of other variables.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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