variation 
It is well known tlmt in some instances of insidious 
shock, and in the earlier stages of purulent infection, the 
pulse will sometimes beat without abnormal variation. 
J. M. Carnochan, Operative Surgery, p. 120. 
2. The extent to which a thing varies ; the de- 
gree, interval, or amount of departure from a 
former condition, position, or relation ; amount 
or rate of change: as, a variation of two de- 
grees ; a rariation of twopence in the pound. 
The variations due to fatigue, fluctuation of the atten- 
tion, and the like, were largely balanced. 
W. II. Barn/Mm, Araer. Jour. Psychol., II. 591. 
3f. Difference. 
There is great variation between him that is raised to 
the sovereignty by the favour of his peera and him that 
comes to it by the suffrage of the people. 
B. Jonson, Discoveries. 
4f. Variance ; dissension ; discord. 
Thus the christen realmes were in variacyon, and the 
churches in great difference. 
Derners, tr. of Froissart's Chron., cccxliv. 
5. In yram., change of form of words, as in 
declension, conjugation, etc.; inflection. 
The regular declensions and variations of nouns and 
verbs should be earJy and thoroughly learnt. 
Watts, Improvement of the Mind, I. vii. 1. 
6. In astron. , any deviation from the mean or- 
bit or mean motion of a heavenly body, occa- 
sioned by another disturbing body. When these 
deviations are compensated in comparatively short periods 
of time they are called periodic variations, but when the 
compensation requires an immense period of time for its 
consummation the variation is called a secular variation. 
7. In physics and nav., the deviation of a mag- 
netic needle from the true north, denoted by the 
angle which the vertical plane passing through 
the poles of the needle freely suspended, and 
undisturbed by local attraction, makes with the 
geographical meridian of the place : generally 
and more properly called declination. The varia- 
tion of the compass does not remain constantly the same in 
the same place, but undergoes certain diurnal, secular, and 
accidental changes. Of these the diurnal changes amount 
to only a email fraction of a degree ; the secular change, 
however, may amount to 20 or 30 or more, and goes 
through a long cycle requiring for its completion some 
three or four centuries. Thus, in the year 1576, in Lon- 
don, the variation was 11 15' east; in 1652 the needle 
pointed due north, after which time it traveled about 24J 
to the westward (the maximum being in 1815) ; the varia- 
tion is now considerably less, and is continually decreas- 
ing. It is very different, however, in different parts of the 
globe. In the eastern part of the United States the varia- 
tion is now westerly, and has been increasing since the last 
decade of the eighteenth century ; but the annual change 
is now less than it was fifty years ago. In the western 
United States the variation is easterly, and has been in 
general diminishing ; for a region in the extreme south- 
west* however, the needle is now stationary. The acciden- 
tal variations are such as accompany magnetic storms, and 
are most frequent and violent at periods of about eleven 
and a half years, corresponding to the sun-spot period. 
See declination, agonic, isogonic^. 
The divergence of the position of the magnetic needle 
from the true north-and-sputh line is called its declina- 
tion, or, by nautical men, its variation. 
Huxley, Physiography, p. 10. 
8. In biol., the act, process, or result of devia- 
tion from a given type of form or structure in 
a plastic vegetable or animal organization, by 
means of natural selection ; or the sum of the 
phenomena resulting from the influence of con- 
ditions of environment, as opposed to those 
which would have been exhibited had the law 
of heredity alone been operative. See varia- 
bility, 2, and variety, 6. Variation In the biological 
sense is the accomplishment of that which variability per- 
mits, environment requires, and selection directs; it cov- 
ers the whole range of deviation from a given type, stock, 
or parent-form. Individual variation may be teratological, 
resulting in malformations or monstrosities, which are 
quite aside from the normal course of evolution, and prob- 
ably never in perpetuity, though some freaks of nature, 
not decidedly pathological or morbid, are sometimes trans- 
mitted, as polydactylism in man, and the like. Another 
series of variations, less decidedly at variance with an ordi- 
nary development, and if not useless at least not hurtful to 
the organism, result in numberless sports, especially of 
cultivated plants and domesticated animals, which tend to 
perpetuation or may be perpetuated artificially. (See selec- 
tion, 3 (artificial and methodical), sport, n.,8, and strain^, 1.) 
The usual course of variation on a grand scale is believed 
to be by the natural selection of useful characters to be 
preserved and increased, with such decrease or extinction 
of their opposites as tends to their further improvement. 
The first decided steps in this direction are seen in the 
(mainly geographical or climatic) varieties, races, subspe- 
cies, and conspecies of ordinary descriptive zoology and 
botany ; a step further brings us to the species ; and most 
biologists hold that such increments of differences by insen- 
sible degrees have in fact resulted in the genus, the family, 
and all other distinctions which can be predicated among 
animals and plants. Variation is used in a more abstract 
sense, as nearly synonymous with variability: as, a theory 
of variation ; and in a more concrete sense, like variety : 
as, this specimen is a variation of that one. 
Some authors use the term variation in a technical 
sense, as implying a modification directly due to the 
physical conditions of life ; and variations in this sense 
are supposed not to be inherited. 
Darwin, Origin of Species, p. 25. 
6700 
No two plants are indistinguishable, and no two animals 
are without differences. Variation is coextensive with 
Heredity. H. Spencer, Prin. of Biol., 85. 
9. In music, a tune or theme repeated with 
changes, elaborations, or embellishments, es- 
pecially when made one of a series of move- 
ments aiming to develop the capacities of a 
given subject. The impulse to compose sets of va- 
riations of a melody was one of the early fruits of the de- 
sire for extended works in which an artistic unity should 
be manifest. In the beginning of this century this impulse 
was doubtless indulged to excess, ingenuity of mechani- 
cal invention and the desire for executive display being 
unduly prominent. But essentially the idea of the repe- 
tition of a given theme with decoration and transforma- 
tion is involved in the whole theory of thematic develop- 
ment. The particular devices used to produce variations 
such as melodic figuration, alteration of harmonic struc- 
ture, change of mode or tonality, change of rhythm, etc. 
are too many to be enumerated. Variations were for- 
merly called doubles. 
10. In the calculus, an infinitesimal increment 
of a function, due to changes in the values of 
the constants, and affecting it, therefore, in 
different amounts for different values of the 
variables. 11. In alg. : (a) The following of 
a + sign after a sign, or vice versa, in a row 
of sights. (b) A linear arrangement of some 
of a given set of objects or of all. Thus, there are 
fifteen variations of the letters A, B, C, as follows : A, B, 
C, AB, BA, BC, CB, CA, AC, ABC, BCA, CAB, CBA, BAC, 
ACB. Analogous variation, in biol. , a variation oc- 
curring in a species or variety which resembles a nor- 
mal character in another and distinct species or variety ; 
a parallel variation. Darwin, Var. of Animals and Plants. 
Correlated variation, in biol., a variation in any part 
of one organism which is correlated with and consequent 
upon the variation of another part of the same organism. 
The idea is that the whole organization of any individual 
is so bound together during its growth and development 
that when slight variations in any one part occur, and are 
accumulated through natural selection, other parts be- 
come modified. Daririn, Orig. of Species, p. 146. Func- 
tion of limited variation. See function. Method of 
concomitant variations. See method. Method or 
calculus of variations, a branch of the differential cal- 
culus established by the Bernoullis, Euler, and Lagrange, 
the object of which is to solve certain problems, called 
problems of isoperimetry, in which one curve, surface, etc., 
is compared with another in regard to certain conditions. 
For example, the earliest problem of the calculus of varia- 
tions was that of the brachistochrone Given two points 
A and B, to find the curve along which a particle will fall 
in least time from A to B. A variation is denoted by a 
lower-case Greek delta. Movements of variation, in 
physial., movements exhibited by mobile organs in plants, 
generally occurring in response to an external stimula- 
tion, as in the sensitive plant. Parallel variation, in 
biol., same as analogous variation. Darwin, Var. of Ani- 
mals and Plants. Right of variation, in canon law, 
the right of a lay patron during an established period 
to suggest, for confirmation by the proper ecclesiastical 
authority, the diversion of a benefice already presented to 
a different candidate. A right of variation by which the 
ecclesiastic having the appointing power is obliged to ap- 
point the second candidate presented is called privative ; 
and the right of presentation by which he may appoint at 
his own discretion either of the candidates presented is 
called cumidative. McClintock and Strong. Variation 
of parameters, a change in an equation by which some 
of its constants are made functions of the variables. The 
application of this device to the solution of differential 
equations is called the method of the variation of parame- 
ters. Valuation Of the elements, a method for the so- 
lution of a dynamical problem which differs only slightly 
from another whose solution is known. Variation of 
the moon, an inequality in the moon's rate of motion, 
occasioned by the attraction of the sun, and depending as 
to i ! s degree on the moon's position in her orbit, consisting 
in an acceleration in longitude from the quadratures to the 
syzygies, and a retardation from the syzygies to the quad- 
ratures. It was discovered by Tycho Brahe (1546-1601). 
Variation-permanence. See Newton's rule, underrufei. 
Variations Of State, in engraving, the results of all 
changes made on a plate by cutting, retouching, erasing 
inscriptions and substituting others, altering publisher's 
address, methods of printing, etc., according to which, in 
important engravings, the impressions are classified. 
variational (va-ri-a'shon-al), a. [< variation 
+ -a?.] Of or pertaining to variation, espe- 
cially in its biological senses : as, a variational 
fact or doctrine ; variational characters: in the 
latter instance, synonymous with varietal. En- 
eye. Brit., XXIV. 77. 
variation-chart (va-ri-a'shon-chart), . A 
chart on which lines, called isogonic lines, are 
drawn passing through places having the same 
magnetic variation. See cut under isoaonic. 
variation-compass (va-ri-a'shon-kum*'pas), n. 
A declination-compass. 
variator ( va'ri-a-tor), . A joint used in under- 
ground electrical mains to allow for the expan- 
sion or contraction of the metal with changes 
of temperature. 
varicated (var'i-ka-ted), a. [< NL. varix (varic-), 
a varix, + -ate^ + -ed 2 .] In concli., having 
varices; marked by varicose formations. 
varication (var-i-ka'shon), n. [< NL. rtiris 
(varic-) + -ation.] In "concli., formation of a 
varix ; a set or system of varices. 
Varicella (var-i-sel'a), . [= F. varicelle, < NL. 
varicella, < vari(ola) + dim. -c-ella.] A specific 
variedly 
contagious disease, usually of childhood, char- 
acterized by an eruption of vesicles of moder- 
ate size, filled with a clear, slightly yellowish 
fluid ; chicken-pox ; swine-pox. There is usually 
but little if any fever or other constitutional disturbance. 
Rarely one or more of the vesicles will leave a slight pit 
in the skin resembling a smallpox-scar. The disease Is 
very mild, and is seldom or never fatal. Varicella gan- 
grenosa, a rare form of chicken-pox in which the eruption 
terminates in gangrenous ulceration. 
varicellar (var-i-sel'iir), a. [< varicella + -fir 3 .] 
Of or relating to varicella Varicellar fever, (a) 
The initial fever of chicken-pox. (It) Modified smallpox ; 
varioloid. [Rare and erroneous.) 
varicellate (var-i-sel'at), a. [< varicella + 
-ate 1 .'] In conch., having small varices. 
varicelloid (var-i-sel'pid), a. [< varicella + 
-oid.] Resembling varicella Varicelloid small- 
pox, modified smallpox ; varioloid. 
varices, . Plural of rarix. 
variciform (var'i-si-i'orm), a. [< L. varix, a di- 
lated vein, + forma, form: see form.] Resem- 
bling a varix ; varicose ; knotty. 
varicoblepharon (viir"i-ko-blef 'a-ron), . 
[NL., < L. varix (varie-), a dilated vein, + Gr. 
fftfyapov, eyelid.] A varicose tumor of the eye- 
lid. 
varicocele (var'i-ko-sel), H. [= F. varicocele, 
< L. varix, a dilated vein, + Gr. Kf/"A>/, a tumor.] 
A tumor in the scrotum, composed of the vari- 
cosed veins of the spermatic cord. The term was 
employed by the older medical writers to designate also a 
varicose condition of the scrotal veins. 
varicoid (var'i-koid), a. [< L. varix, a dilated 
vein, + -oid.] Same as variciform. 
varicolored, varicoloured (va'ri-kul-ord), a. 
(X L. varius, various, + color, color, -r -erf 2 .] 
Diversified in color ; variegated; motley. 
Vary-colour' d shells. Tennyson, Arabian Nights. 
The right wing of Schleiermacher's varicolored follow- 
ing. The American, VII. 278. 
varicolorous (va-ri-kul'or-us), . [< L. varius, 
various, + color, colorj + -oits.] Variously 
colored ; variegated in color. 
varicorn (va'ri-korn), a. and n. [< L. varius, 
various, + cornu = E. Jtorn.~] I. a. Having 
diversiform or variously shaped antenne ; of or 
pertaining to the Varicornes. 
II. 11. A varicorn beetle. 
Varicornes (va-ri-kor'nez), n.pl. [NL., < 
L. varius, various, -t- cornu = E. horn.] In 
some systems, a legion of Coleoptera, including 
the elavicorus, lamellicorns, and serricorns. 
[Rare.] 
varicose (var'i-kos), a. (X L. varicosus, full of 
dilated veins, < varix (varic-), a dilated vein: 
see varix.] 1. Of or relating to varix ; affected 
with varix. 
I observed that nearly all of them [bearers] had large 
varicose veins in their legs, owing to the severity of their 
avocation. W. H. Russell, Diary in India, II. 91. 
The skin covering the morbid growth was rough, and 
showed large blue varicose veins ramifying over the sur- 
face. J. M. Carnochan, Operative Surgery, p. 79. 
2. Designed for the cure or relief of varicose 
veins: applied to elastic fabrics made into 
stockings, bandages, etc., used for this pur- 
pose. 3. In zool., prominent and tortuous, as 
formations upon a shell; resembling or hav- 
ing yarices ; varicated. varicose aneurism, an 
aneurismal sac having communication with both an artery 
and a vein. See aneurismal varix, under aneurismal. 
Varicose angloma, dilatation of the minute veins or 
venous radicles. Varicose lymphatics, dilated lym- 
phatic vessels. Varicose ulcer, an ulcer of the leg 
caused by the presence of varicose veins. Varicose 
veins, a condition in which the superficial veins, usually 
of the lower extremity, are dilated, the valves giving 
them a beaded appearance. 
varicosed (var'i-kost), a. [< varicose + -erf 2 .] 
In a condition of varix : noting veins. 
varicosity (var-i-kos'i-ti), .; pi. varicosities 
(-tiz). [< varicose + -ity.] A varix. 
variCOUS (var'i-kus), a. [< L. varicosus, vari- 
cose : see varicose.'] Same as varicose. 
varicula (va-rik'u-la), n. ; pi. variculae (-le). 
[NL., < L. varicula, dim. of varix (varic-), a di- 
lated vein: see varix.] A varix of the con- 
junctiva. 
varied (va'rid), p. a. 1. Altered; partially 
changed; changed. 
These, as they change, Almighty Father, these 
Are but the varied God. Thomson, Hymn. 
2. Characterized by variety ; consisting of va- 
rious kinds or sorts: as, a varied assortment 
of goods. 3. Differing from one another; di- 
verse; various: as, commerce with its varied 
interests. 4. Variegated in color: as, the va- 
ried thrush Varied pickerel, shrike, thrush. See 
the nouns. 
variedly (va'rid-li), adv. Diversely. 
