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vary

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var⋅y

  [vair-ee] verb, var⋅ied, var⋅y⋅ing.
Use vary in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to change or alter, as in form, appearance, character, or substance: to vary one's methods.
2. to cause to be different from something else: The orchestra varied last night's program with one new selection.
3. to avoid or relieve from uniformity or monotony; diversify: to vary one's diet.
4. Music. to alter (a melody or theme) by modification or embellishments without changing its identity.
–verb (used without object)
5. to show diversity; be different: The age at which children are ready to read varies.
6. to undergo change in appearance, form, substance, character, etc.: The landscape begins to vary as one drives south.
7. to change periodically or in succession; differ or alternate: Demand for certain products varies with the season.
8. to diverge; depart; deviate (usually fol. by from): to vary from the norm.
9. Mathematics. to be subject to change.
10. Biology. to exhibit variation.
Origin:
1300–50; ME varien < L variāre, equiv. to vari(us) (see various ) + -āre inf. suffix

Related forms:
var⋅i⋅er, noun
var⋅y⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. modify, mutate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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var·y   (vâr'ē, vār'ē)   
v.   var·ied (-ēd), var·y·ing, var·ies (-ēz)

v.   tr.

  1. To make or cause changes in the characteristics or attributes of; modify or alter.

  2. To give variety to; make diverse: vary one's diet.

  3. To introduce under new aspects; express in a different manner: vary a musical tempo.

v.   intr.

  1. To undergo or show change: The temperature varied throughout the day.

  2. To be different; deviate: vary from established patterns of behavior. See Synonyms at differ.

  3. To undergo successive or alternate changes in attributes or qualities: Foliage varies with the seasons.


[Middle English varien, to undergo change, from Old French varier, from Latin variāre, from varius, various.]
var'y·ing·ly adv.
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

vary 
c.1340 (trans.), c.1369 (intrans.), from O.Fr. varier, from L. variare "change, alter, make different," from varius "varied, different, spotted;" perhaps related to varus "bent, crooked, knock-kneed," and varix "varicose vein," from a PIE base *wer- "high raised spot or other bodily infirmity" (cf. O.E. wearte "wart," Swed. varbulde "pus swelling," L. verruca "wart").
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: vary
Pronunciation: 'ver-E, 'var-E
Function: intransitive verb
Inflected Forms: var·ied; vary·ing
: to exhibitdivergence in structural or physiological characters from the typical form
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

vary var·y (vâr'ē, vār'ē)
v. var·ied, var·y·ing, var·ies

  1. To make or cause changes in the characteristics or attributes of; modify or alter.

  2. To undergo or show change.

  3. To be different; deviate.

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