Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
variable-sweep
varial
varial kick flip
variance
variance threshold
variant
variant CJD
variate
variation
variation margin
variation order
varic-
varicella
varicella-zoster virus
varices
varico-
varicocele
Click to move down the list of words
Print Preview
See pronunciation key
Search for "variation" in all of MSN Encarta
E-mail this entry
Blog about this entry on MSN Spaces
Download the MSN Encarta Right-Click Dictionary

variation

var·i·a·tion [ vérree áysh'n ] (plural var·i·a·tions)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. act of varying: the act or a result of varying

2. state of differing: the state or fact of differing, e.g. from a former state or value, from others of the same type, or from a standard

3. degree of difference: the degree to which something differs, e.g. from a former state or value, from others of the same type, or from a standard
There is a variation of several points in the test scores.

4. something differing slightly: something that differs slightly from the norm

5. music altered version of musical theme: an altered version of an original musical theme or melody, such that the rhythm or harmony is varied or melodic embellishment is added. Variations are often found in sets, where a theme is followed by several variations.

6. music repetition of musical theme: the repetition of a musical theme with modifications of melody, rhythm, or harmony

7. mathematics mathematical function: a mathematical function that relates the values of one variable to those of other variables

8. biology biological deviation: a significant deviation from the normal biological form, function, or structure

9. biology living organism that differs: a living organism that differs from the normal form for its kind

10. ballet solo dance: a dance performed by a single dancer

11. astronomy change in orbit: a change in or deviation from the average motion or orbit of an astronomical object

12. astronomy term in equation describing Moon's motion: a term representing the gravitational attraction of the Sun on the Earth-Moon system in the mathematical equation for the Moon's motion

13. physics 
Same as  magnetic declination


14. linguistics linguistic change: a change in conjugation, declension, inflection, or vowel form

[14th century. Directly or via French< Latin variation-< variare (see vary)]

var·i·a·tion·al adjective
var·i·a·tion·al·ly adverb
Englishtown: Learn English online
Also on MSN
Encarta Message Boards (© Rubberball/Jupiterimages)
Upgrade your Encarta experience
Encarta RSS Feeds
© 2008 Microsoft