1. A change that takes place or occurs in something: The variance of the interest rate on Steven’s savings account at the bank showed 1,0% in January and only 0.5% in June!
2. The difference between two or more things: Joe and his wife noticed a variance in the quality of fabric of the curtains they were interested in buying; one was very thin, translucent, and light weight; while the other one was heavier, quite densely woven, and kept the daylight out.
3. A disagreement of ideas or attitudes: The building project was being delayed because of variances of opinions between the supervisors about how to proceed to the next phase.
4. An official decision or document which allows a person to do something that is not normally allowed in legal procedures: Mario had to obtain a variance from the court to connect a garage onto his house.

If there is evidence by a plaintiff which does not agree with the allegations by legal authorities, it is considered to be a legal variance.

5. Etymology: from French via Latin variatia, "a difference, a diversity"; from variantem, "a change". © ALL rights are reserved.
© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.