vari-

Descriptive of how someone or something is constant and not changing: Every time Joe goes to the restaurant, the waiters and waitresses are unvaryingly polite and friendly.

1. A typically bluish-gray fur that is obtained from a variety of squirrels: A vair was used in the 13th and 14th centuries as a lining or trimming for garments.
2. Fur that was used on heraldic shields: Vair was used to represent the interlocking rows of shield-shaped or bell-shaped figures that were alternately blue and white, like a tincture.
3. Etymology: from Middle English via Old French; from Latin varius, "changing, diverse".

The quality of being changeable: Sometimes weather can be quite unpredictable and is known for its variability when sunshine quickly disappears and dark clouds, wind, and rain roll through, and then sunshine appears again!

1. Something that changes or which can be changed or which tends to change: There are just too many unemployment and other economic variables.
2. In mathematics, a quantity which can have any one of a set of values: A variable can be a symbol that represents such a quantity, or a number which can change depending on the other numbers in an equation.

1. Indicating a tendency to deviate, as from a normal or recognized type; aberrant; a description of a species that tends to differ in some way from what is usual: The weather in many areas of the country seems to be quite variable because one day it is nice and warm and then the next day it is gray with cold winds!
2. Characteristic of something that is able, or liable, to change suddenly and unpredictably, or likely to change often: The stock market has variable investments with profits going up and then down, often as a result of statements made by certain government agencies.
3. Descriptive of anything that is inconsistent or uneven in quality or performance; not always the same: Joan's savings account has a variable interest rate which fluctuates daily.  © ALL rights are reserved.

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A type of wind turbine: The attack angle of the variable-pitch rotor blades can be adjusted, either automatically or manually, in order to respond efficiently to variations in wind speed and direction.

A a mechanical device that rotates in a machine: A variable-pitch propeller is a part of a machine in which the angle of the blades of a power-driven shaft can be adjusted to suit different conditions while maintaining the same engine speed.

Descriptive of a wind turbine in which the rotor speed increases and decreases with changing wind forces, producing electricity with a fluctuating level of power and voltage: The variable-speed of a wind turbine contrasts with a "fixed-speed" turbine, which has a virtually constant rotor speed, typically a 1-2% variation.

A load that requires low or high torque (twisting force) for a low or high speeds: A variable-torque load needs a decrease in torque for low speeds, and a very high torque for high speeds.

Pertaining to how something changes or fluctuates; inconsistently: Chuck was upset that his teacher imposed the rules in the classroom variably, depending on who was meant.

The weather changed variably, with wind and rain, making their bike tour very difficult!

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.

1. A thing or animal that is somewhat dissimilar to a norm or type: That cat that Jane has is a variant of the Siamese cat.
2. In lexicology, one of a group of terms that have the same meaning: In his dictionary, Joe located variants with the same meaning, like "vehemency”, which is the variant of “vehemence”.

Referring to something that shows diversity or variety: Mr. Smart wrote variant spellings of the American and Brish words on the board, like harbour (BE) and harbour (AE).

1. A deviation in form, quality, or position of something: Karen bought two variations of the same dress, one was red and sheer, and the other one was blue and was made of cotton.
2. In music, a a technique or method used to produce a variety in the melody, like harmony, orchestration, rhythm,etc.: When Lucy wrote her little piece of music for piano, she decided to use variations in tempo.
3. A related, but a separate thing: In the kitchen, Joe prepared a variation of his recipe for spaghetti sauce, which was fantastic!

Descriptive of something that shows variety; variational: According to the curriculum, the students could choose from a variative selection of subjects to fit their course of studies.