Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Variable
Va′ri-a-ble
,Adj.
[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
. Shakespeare
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-rate mortgage
(Finance)
, a mortgage whose percentage interest rate varies depending on some agreed standard, such as the prime rate; – used often in financing the purchase of a home. Such a mortgage usually has a lower initial interest rate than a
– fixed-rate mortgage
, and this permits buyers of a home to finance the purchase a house of higher price than would be possible with a fixed-rate loan. 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.
Va′ri-a-ble
,Noun.
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
. x
, x and y are 2
- y2
= R2
variables
3.
(Naut.)
(a)
A shifting wind, or one that varies in force.
(b)
pl.
Those parts of the sea where a steady wind is not expected, especially the parts between the trade-wind belts.
Independent variable
(Math.)
, that one of two or more variables, connected with each other in any way whatever, to which changes are supposed to be given at will.
Thus, in the equation
There may be two or more independent variables in an equation or problem. Cf. x
, if arbitrary changes are supposed to be given to x, then x is the 2
- y2
= R2
independent variable
, and y is called a function of x. Dependent variable
, under Dependent
.Webster 1828 Edition
Variable
VA'RIABLE
,Adj.
1.
That may vary or alter; capable of alteration in any manner; changeable; as variable winds or seasons; variable colors.2.
Susceptible of change; liable to change; mutable; fickle; unsteady; inconstant; as, the affections of men are variable; passions are variable.His heart I know, how variable and vain.
3.
In mathematics, subject to continual increase or decrease; in opposition to constant, retaining the same value.VA'RIABLE
,Noun.
Definition 2024
Variable
Variable
variable
variable
See also: Variable
English
Adjective
variable (comparative more variable, superlative most variable)
- Able to vary.
- variable winds or seasons; a variable quantity
- Likely to vary.
- Shakespeare
- Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.
- Shakespeare
- Marked by diversity or difference.
- (mathematics) Having no fixed quantitative value.
- (biology) Tending to deviate from a normal or recognized type.
Synonyms
- (able to vary): alterable, flexible, changeable, mutable
- (likely to vary): fickle, fluctuating, inconstant, shifting, unstable, unsteady
- (marked by diversity or difference): varying
- (biology: tending to deviate from a normal or recognized type): aberrant
Antonyms
- (able to vary): constant, invariable, immutable, unalterable, unchangeable
- (likely to vary): constant, invariable, immutable, unchangeable
- (marked by diversity or difference): unchanging
- (mathematics: having no fixed quantitative value): constant, invariable
Derived terms
Translations
able to vary
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likely to vary
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marked by diversity or difference
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mathematics: having no fixed quantitative value
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biology: tending to deviate from a normal or recognized type
Noun
variable (plural variables)
- Something that is variable.
- Something whose value may be dictated or discovered.
- 2013 May-June, Katie L. Burke, “In the News”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 3, page 193:
- Bats host many high-profile viruses that can infect humans, including severe acute respiratory syndrome and Ebola. A recent study explored the ecological variables that may contribute to bats’ propensity to harbor such zoonotic diseases by comparing them with another order of common reservoir hosts: rodents.
- There are several variables to consider here.
-
- (mathematics) A quantity that may assume any one of a set of values.
- (mathematics) A symbol representing a variable.
- (programming) A named memory location in which a program can store intermediate results and from which it can read them.
- (astronomy) A variable star.
- (nautical) A shifting wind, or one that varies in force.
- (nautical, in the plural) Those parts of the sea where a steady wind is not expected, especially the parts between the trade-wind belts.
Synonyms
- (something that is variable): changeable
- (something whose value may be dictated or discovered): parameter
- (mathematics: a quantity that may assume any one of a set of values): variable quantity
Antonyms
- (something that is variable): constant, invariable
Hyponyms
Hyponyms of variable
- See also Wikisaurus:variable
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
something that is variable
something whose value may be dictated or discovered
mathematics: a quantity that may assume any one of a set of values
|
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mathematics: a symbol representing a variable
|
computing: a named mutable piece of storage
|
astronomy: a variable star — see variable star
See also
Asturian
Etymology
From Latin variābilis.
Adjective
variable (epicene, plural variables)
Noun
variable f (plural variables)
- (mathematics) variable (a quantity that may assume any one of a set of values)
Related terms
Catalan
Etymology
From Latin variābilis.
Adjective
variable m, f (masculine and feminine plural variables)
- variable (able to vary)
- variable (likely to vary)
- (mathematics) variable (having no fixed quantitative value)
Noun
variable f (plural variables)
- variable (something that is variable)
- (mathematics) variable (a quantity that may assume any one of a set of values)
Related terms
Danish
Adjective
variable
- plural and definite singular attributive of variabel
Noun
variable
- plural indefinite of variabel
French
Etymology
From Latin variabilis.
Adjective
variable m, f (plural variables)
Noun
variable f (plural variables)
Anagrams
Galician
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Latin variābilis.
Adjective
variable m, f (plural variables)
Antonyms
Noun
variable f (plural variables)