— varier , n. — varyingly , adv.
/vair"ee/ , v. , varied, varying .
v.t.
1. to change or alter, as in form, appearance, character, or substance: to vary one's methods.
2. to cause to be different from something else: The orchestra varied last night's program with one new selection.
3. to avoid or relieve from uniformity or monotony; diversify: to vary one's diet.
4. Music. to alter (a melody or theme) by modification or embellishments without changing its identity.
v.i.
5. to show diversity; be different: The age at which children are ready to read varies.
6. to undergo change in appearance, form, substance, character, etc.: The landscape begins to vary as one drives south.
7. to change periodically or in succession; differ or alternate: Demand for certain products varies with the season.
8. to diverge; depart; deviate (usually fol. by from ): to vary from the norm.
9. Math. to be subject to change.
10. Biol. to exhibit variation.
[ 1300-50; ME varien variare, equiv. to vari ( us ) (see VARIOUS) + -are inf. suffix ]
Syn. 1. modify, mutate.