[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

variation \va`ria"tion\, n. oe. variatioun, f. variation, l.
   variatio. see vary.
   1. the act of varying; a partial change in the form,
      position, state, or qualities of a thing; modification;
      alteration; mutation; diversity; deviation; as, a
      variation of color in different lights; a variation in
      size; variation of language.
      1913 webster

            the essences of things are conceived not capable of
            any such variation.                   --locke.
      1913 webster

   2. extent to which a thing varies; amount of departure from a
      position or state; amount or rate of change.
      1913 webster

   3. gram. change of termination of words, as in declension,
      conjugation, derivation, etc.
      1913 webster

   4. mus. repetition of a theme or melody with fanciful
      embellishments or modifications, in time, tune, or
      harmony, or sometimes change of key; the presentation of a
      musical thought in new and varied aspects, yet so that the
      essential features of the original shall still preserve
      their identity.
      1913 webster

   5. alg. one of the different arrangements which can be made
      of any number of quantities taking a certain number of
      them together.
      1913 webster

   annual variation astron., the yearly change in the right
      ascension or declination of a star, produced by the
      combined effects of the precession of the equinoxes and
      the proper motion of the star.

   calculus of variations. see under calculus.

   variation compass. see under compass.

   variation of the moon astron., an inequality of the
      moon's motion, depending on the angular distance of the
      moon from the sun. it is greater at the octants, and zero
      at the quadratures.

   variation of the needle geog.  naut., the angle included
      between the true and magnetic meridians of a place; the
      deviation of the direction of a magnetic needle from the
      true north and south line; -- called also declination of
      the needle.
      1913 webster

   syn: change; vicissitude; variety; deviation.
        1913 webster
see also:
vary annual variation calculus of variations calculus variation compass compass 
variation of the moon variation of the needle declination of the needle 

Moon >> M Words
Moon, definition of term: Moon
moon_pag1.html

Harvest Moon >> H Words
Harvest Moon, definition of term: Harvest Moon
harvest+moon_pag1.html

Full Moon >> F Words
Full Moon, definition of term: Full Moon
full+moon_pag1.html

Blue Moon >> B Words
Blue Moon, definition of term: Blue Moon
blue+moon_pag1.html