Variation
[veərɪ'eɪʃ(ə)n] or [,vɛrɪ'eʃən]
Definition
(noun.) an activity that varies from a norm or standard; 'any variation in his routine was immediately reported'.
(noun.) the act of changing or altering something slightly but noticeably from the norm or standard; 'who is responsible for these variations in taxation?'.
(noun.) an artifact that deviates from a norm or standard; 'he patented a variation on the sandal'.
(noun.) a repetition of a musical theme in which it is modified or embellished.
(noun.) an instance of change; the rate or magnitude of change.
(noun.) (astronomy) any perturbation of the mean motion or orbit of a planet or satellite (especially a perturbation of the earth's moon).
(noun.) the process of varying or being varied.
Edited by Albert--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) The act of varying; a partial change in the form, position, state, or qualities of a thing; modification; alternation; mutation; diversity; deviation; as, a variation of color in different lights; a variation in size; variation of language.
(n.) Extent to which a thing varies; amount of departure from a position or state; amount or rate of change.
(n.) Change of termination of words, as in declension, conjugation, derivation, etc.
(n.) Repetition of a theme or melody with fanciful embellishments or modifications, in time, tune, or harmony, or sometimes change of key; the presentation of a musical thought in new and varied aspects, yet so that the essential features of the original shall still preserve their identity.
(n.) One of the different arrangements which can be made of any number of quantities taking a certain number of them together.
Typist: Lucas
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Alteration, mutation, change, mortification.[2]. Deviation, departure, difference, diversity, discrepance, discrepancy, VARIANCE.
Edited by Colin
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Deviation, alteration, mutation, diversity, departure, change, abnormity,exception, discrepancy
ANT:Continuance, fixity, indivergency, exemplification, law, rule, uniformity, harmony,agreement
Typed by Joan
Examples
- Great importance has been attached to this variation in the inclination of the equator to the orbit by Dr. Croll in his book _Climate and Time_. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Some authors have maintained that the amount of variation in our domestic productions is soon reached, and can never afterward be exceeded. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- We shall, however, be enabled to discuss what circumstances are most favourable to variation. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- Our ignorance of the laws of variation is profound. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- A particular shade of any colour may acquire a new degree of liveliness or brightness without any other variation. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- The question is not, at what period of life any variation may have been caused, but at what period the effects are displayed. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- Thus it will be possible to introduce almost endless changes in the style of house by variation of the same set of molds. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- Every variation in the speaker's voice is repeated in the vibrations of the metal disk and hence in the minute motion of the pointer and in the consequent record on the cylinder. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- These slight proportional differences, due to the laws of growth and variation, are not of the slightest use or importance to most species. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- Such a slight difference would not make an appreciable variation in the candle-power of the lamps. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- I will here only allude to what may be called correlated variation. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- Educationally, emphasis may not be put on eternal truth, but it is put on the authority of book and teacher, and individual variation is discouraged. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- It cannot therefore be affected by any variation in that particular. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- How will the struggle for existence, briefly discussed in the last chapter, act in regard to variation? Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- On the other hand, the ordinary belief that the amount of possible variation is a strictly limited quantity, is likewise a simple assumption. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- The necessity for this was due to the many radical variations made from accepted methods. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- The improved instrument produces untempered tones without requiring extraordinary variations from the usual arrangement of the keys. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- Her constitution is both sound and elastic;--better calculated to endure variations of climate than many more robust. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- Unless favourable variations be inherited by some at least of the offspring, nothing can be effected by natural selection. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- These bud variations, as they may be named, can be propagated by grafts, offsets, etc. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- Trifling variations in the ingredients, in the proportion and in the heating, made it either pliable as kid, tougher than ox hide, as elastic as whalebone, or as rigid as flint. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- The suddenness of the effect can be accounted for only by a cause which can operate suddenly, the accidental variations of the seasons. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- The same principles are followed by horticulturists; but the variations are here often more abrupt. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- These languages are not different things, they are variations of one thing. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- All commodities are more or less liable to variations of price, but some are much more so than others. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- But man can and does select the variations given to him by nature, and thus accumulates them in any desired manner. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- The sound-waves impinging upon the distant transmitter varied the resistance of the carbon button therein, thus causing corresponding variations in the strength of the battery current. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- Variations in the Proportion between the respective Values of Gold and Silver. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- It is liable, besides, to almost continual variations. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- He can never act by selection, excepting on variations which are first given to him in some slight degree by nature. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
Edited by Julia