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Definition

noun, plural: variations

(1) A difference or deviation (e.g. in structure, form, function) from the recognized norm or standard.

(2) A modification in structure, form or function in an organism, deviating from other organisms of the same species or group.

(3) Mutant; an organism possessing characteristic(s) as a result of mutation.

Supplement

In genetics, variation refers to an individual that possesses characteristics different from the others of the same kind.

Variation can be measured at the individual level, i.e. differences between individual people, or at the population level, i.e. differences between populations living in different regions.

Word origin: Latin variātiōn- (s. of variātiō), equiv. to variāt(us).