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variation Definition

varia·tion (ver′ē ā′s̸hən, var′-)

noun

    1. the act, fact, or process of varying; change or deviation in form, condition, appearance, extent, etc. from a former or usual state, or from an assumed standard
    2. the degree or extent of such change
  2. declination (sense 3)
  3. a thing that is somewhat different from another of the same kind
  4. Astron. a change in or deviation from the mean motion or orbit of a planet, satellite, etc.
  5. Ballet a solo dance
  6. Biol.
    1. a deviation from the usual or parental type in structure or form
    2. an organism showing such deviation
  7. Math. the manner in which two or more quantities change relative to one another
  8. Music the repetition of a theme or musical idea with changes or embellishments in harmony, rhythm, key, etc., esp. any of a series of such repetitions developing a single theme

Etymology: ME variacion < OFr < L variatio

variation Related Forms
var′ia′·tional adjective
variation Synonyms

variation

n.

  1. Change

    modification, alteration, mutation, diversification, deviation, shift, fluctuation, deflection, aberration, departure, variety, adaptation, curve, bend, turn, divergence, veer, digression, swerve, displacement, warping; see also change 1.

    Antonyms stability*, fixity, unchangeableness.

  2. Disparity

    inequality, difference, dissimilarity, dissimilitude, distinction, disproportion, exception, contrast, contradistinction, unconformity, irregularity, aberration, abnormality, disparity.

    Antonyms similarity*, conformity, likeness.

variation Usage Examples

Preposition: on

  • theme: There are many contractual variations on these basic themes.

Preposition: in

  • prevalence: There was little variation in the prevalence of smoking among those aged 16 to 19 years.
  • thickness: Any problems tend to be due to variations in thickness between manufacturers, which can result in differences in placement pressure.
  • susceptibility: Summary: bid to understand individual variation in susceptibility to disease, requirements for nutrients.
  • temperature: Variations in sea surface temperature can also be revealed.

Adjective modifier

  • seasonal: Open all year, daily from 10 am, seasonal variations in closing times please call to confirm.
  • genetic: Knowing the sequence of specific genes will allow us to tap into the natural genetic variation of almost any crop species.
  • slight: There may be slight variations in finish due to the individual nature of each leather piece used.
  • considerable: A frequent complaint from members has been the considerable variation of the cost of the medical.
  • spatial: Casual gains Often assumed to equal design values as found in handbooks with temporal and spatial variations ignored.
  • regional: Surprisingly there is little regional variation in building cost.

Converse of object

  • explain: Using the analysis carried out within the 5 forces framework we also sought to explain the variations in profitability across the supply chain.
  • exhibit: BS 6472 states: ' Within residential areas people exhibit wide variations of vibration tolerance.
  • reveal: CONCLUSION Analysis of hospital episode statistics reveals a wide variation in standardized mortality ratios and possible predictors of these variations.

Noun used with modifier

  • pronunciation: Modeling pronunciation variation for a Dutch CSR: testing three methods.
  • cross-word: Secondly, cross-word pronunciation variation was modeled using two different approaches.
  • cross-section: Size of interviews interest whether insurance cross-section variation adjusted either way the.
  • temperature: In general there is far more diurnal and altitude related temperature variation than seasonal.
  • dialect: There is now no significant dialect variation between speakers from different areas.
  • within-word: A significant improvement was found for modeling within-word variation.
variation Quotes

I have called this principle, by which each slight variation, if useful, is preserved, by the term of Natural Selection, in order to mark its relation to man's power of selection.

—Darwin, Charles Robert

Asto Mr Feeder,B.A.,Doctor Blimber's assistant, he was a kind of human barrel-organ, with a little list of tunes at which he was continually working, over and over again, without any variation.

—Dickens, CharlesJohn Huffam