Variability
[,veərɪə'bɪlətɪ] or [,vɛrɪə'bɪləti]
Definition
(n.) The quality or state of being variable; variableness.
(n.) The power possessed by living organisms, both animal and vegetable, of adapting themselves to modifications or changes in their environment, thus possibly giving rise to ultimate variation of structure or function.
Editor: Vicky
Examples
- The variability, however, in the successive generations of mongrels is, perhaps, greater than in hybrids. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- This greater variability in mongrels than in hybrids does not seem at all surprising. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- In the latter case the organisation seems to become plastic, and we have much fluctuating variability. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- And if there has been any variability under nature, it would be an unaccountable fact if natural selection had not come into play. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- A great amount of variability, under which term individual differences are always included, will evidently be favourable. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- There is, also, some probability in the view propounded by Andrew Knight, that this variability may be partly connected with excess of food. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- Variability is governed by many unknown laws, of which correlated growth is probably the most important. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- During these latter periods there will probably be more variability in the forms of life; during periods of subsidence, more extinction. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- It is not probable that variability is an inherent and necessary contingent, under all circumstances. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- But as long as selection is rapidly going on, much variability in the parts undergoing modification may always be expected. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- These facts are very perplexing, for they seem to show that this kind of variability is independent of the conditions of life. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
Editor: Lorna