Webster's English Dictionary

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variation

vari.a.tion \.ver-e--'a--sh*n, .var-\ n 1a: the act or process of varying : 
   the state or fact of being varied  1b: an instance of varying  1c: the 
   extent to which or range in which a thing varies  2: Declination which a 
   thing varies DECLINATION  3: a change in the mean motion or mean orbit of a 
   celestial body  4a: a change of algebraic sign between successive terms of 
   a sequence  4b: a measure of the change in a variable or function  5: the 
   repetition of a musical theme with modifications in rhythm, tune, ha rmony, 
   or key 6a: divergence in qualities of an organism or biotype from those 
   typical or  usual to its group 6b: an individual or group exhibiting 
   variation  7a: a solo dance in classic ballet  7b: a repetition in modern 
   ballet of a movement sequence with changes