variation
nounfeminine/vɐɾjɐˈsɐ̃w̃/high
va·ri·a·ção
Definitions
1The act or effect of varying; change, alteration, fluctuation.
There was a large temperature variation between day and night.
The variation in stock prices was abrupt.
Common collocations
climate variationprice variationgenetic variationslight variation
2(Music) A compositional technique in which a theme is repeated with alterations in melody, harmony, rhythm, or orchestration.
The composer wrote a set of variations on a popular theme.
Bach's Goldberg Variations are a masterpiece.
Common collocations
theme and variationsvariations on a theme
Etymology
Do latim 'variatio, variationis', de 'variare' (variar).