Varan
(Va"ran) n. [F.] (Zoöl.) The monitor. See Monitor, 3.
Varangian
(Va*ran"gi*an) n. One of the Northmen who founded a dynasty in Russia in the 9th century; also,
one of the Northmen composing, at a later date, the imperial bodyguard at Constantinople.
Varanus
(||Va*ra"nus) n. [NL., fr. Ar. waran, waral; cf. F. varan, from the Arabic.] (Zoöl.) A genus of
very large lizards native of Asia and Africa. It includes the monitors. See Monitor, 3.
Vare
(Vare) n. [Sp. vara staff, wand, L. vara forked pole.] A wand or staff of authority or justice.
[Obs.]
His hand a vare of justice did uphold.
Dryden. Vare
(Vare), n. (Zoöl.) A weasel. [Prov. Eng.]
Vare widgeon (Zoöl.), a female or young male of the smew; a weasel duck; — so called from the resemblance
of the head to that of a vare, or weasel. [Prov. Eng.]
Varec
(Var"ec) n. [F. varech; of Teutonic origin. See Wrack seaweed, wreck.] The calcined ashes of
any coarse seaweed used for the manufacture of soda and iodine; also, the seaweed itself; fucus; wrack.
Vari
(||Va"ri) n. [Cf. F. vari.] (Zoöl.) The ringtailed lemur (Lemur catta) of Madagascar. Its long tail is
annulated with black and white.
Variability
(Va`ri*a*bil"i*ty) n. [Cf. F. variabilité.]
1. The quality or state of being variable; variableness.
2. (Biol.) The power possessed by living organisms, both animal and vegetable, of adapting themselves
to modifications or changes in their environment, thus possibly giving rise to ultimate variation of structure
or function.
Variable
(Va"ri*a*ble) a. [L. variabilis: cf. F. variable.]
1. Having the capacity of varying or changing; capable of alternation in any manner; changeable; as, variable
winds or seasons; a variable quantity.
2. Liable to vary; too susceptible of change; mutable; fickle; unsteady; inconstant; as, the affections of men
are variable; passions are variable.
Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.
Shak.
His heart, I know, how variable and vain!
Milton. Variable exhaust (Steam Eng.), a blast pipe with an adjustable opening. — Variable quantity (Math.),
a variable. — Variable stars (Astron.), fixed stars which vary in their brightness, usually in more or
less uniform periods.
Syn. — Changeable; mutable; fickle; wavering; unsteady; versatile; inconstant.
Variable
(Va"ri*a*ble), n.
1. That which is variable; that which varies, or is subject to change.
2. (Math.) A quantity which may increase or decrease; a quantity which admits of an infinite number
of values in the same expression; a variable quantity; as, in the equation x2 - y2 = R2, x and y are
variables.
