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VARIABLE
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I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
A quantity that can assume any of a set of values
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("variable" is a kind of...):
quantity (the concept that something has a magnitude and can be represented in mathematical expressions by a constant or a variable)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "variable"):
argument (a variable in a logical or mathematical expression whose value determines the dependent variable; if f(x)=y, x is the independent variable)
experimental variable; independent variable ((statistics) a variable whose values are independent of changes in the values of other variables)
correlate; correlative (either of two or more related or complementary variables)
degree of freedom ((statistics) an unrestricted variable in a frequency distribution)
dependent variable ((statistics) a variable in a logical or mathematical expression whose value depends on the independent variable)
predictor variable (a variable that can be used to predict the value of another variable (as in statistical regression))
infinitesimal ((mathematics) a variable that has zero as its limit)
chance variable; random variable; stochastic variable; variant; variate (a variable quantity that is random)
scalar (a variable quantity that cannot be resolved into components)
tensor (a generalization of the concept of a vector)
vector (a variable quantity that can be resolved into components)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A symbol (like x or y) that is used in mathematical or logical expressions to represent a variable quantity
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("variable" is a kind of...):
symbol (an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "variable"):
placeholder (a symbol in a logical or mathematical expression that can be replaced by the name of any member of specified set)
unknown; unknown quantity (a variable whose values are solutions of an equation)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Something that is likely to vary; something that is subject to variation
Example:
the weather is one variable to be considered
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made)
Hypernyms ("variable" is a kind of...):
thing (a separate and self-contained entity)
Derivation:
variable (liable to or capable of change)
Sense 4
Meaning:
A star that varies noticeably in brightness
Synonyms:
variable; variable star
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made)
Hypernyms ("variable" is a kind of...):
star ((astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior)
Instance hyponyms:
North Star; polar star; Polaris; pole star; polestar (the brightest star in Ursa Minor; at the end of the handle of the Little Dipper; the northern axis of the earth points toward it)
II. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
(used of a device) designed so that a property (as e.g. light) can be varied
Example:
variable filters in front of the mercury xenon lights
Classified under:
Similar:
adaptable (capable of adapting (of becoming or being made suitable) to a particular situation or use)
Derivation:
variability; variableness (the quality of being subject to variation)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Liable to or capable of change
Example:
variable expenses
Classified under:
Similar:
changeable; uncertain; unsettled (subject to change)
covariant (changing so that interrelations with another variable quantity or set of quantities remain unchanged)
multivariate (pertaining to any procedure involving two or more variables)
protean (taking on different forms)
shifting (continuously varying)
variant (exhibiting variation and change)
versatile (changeable or inconstant)
Also:
inconsistent (displaying a lack of consistency)
inconstant (likely to change frequently often without apparent or cogent reason; variable)
Antonym:
invariable (not liable to or capable of change)
Derivation:
variability (the quality of being subject to variation)
variable (something that is likely to vary; something that is subject to variation)
variableness (the quality of being subject to variation)
vary (become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence)
vary (be subject to change in accordance with a variable)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Marked by diversity or difference
Example:
nature is infinitely variable
Synonyms:
variable; varying
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
varied (characterized by variety)
Derivation:
variability (the quality of being uneven and lacking uniformity)
variableness (the quality of being subject to variation)
vary (become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence)
vary (make something more diverse and varied)
vary (be subject to change in accordance with a variable)
Context examples:
An antibody directed against the individual antigenic determinants (idiotopes) on the variable region of an immunoglobulin molecule.
(Anti-Idiotype Antibody, NCI Thesaurus)
A normal distribution which models more than one variable of interest.
(Multivariate Normal Distribution, NCI Thesaurus)
The anti-mesothelin mRNA encodes a single chain antibody variable fragment (ScFv), the intracellular CD 3 zeta T cell receptor domain and the 4-1BB (cd137) costimulatory domain.
(Anti-mesothelin CIR mRNA-electroporated Autologous T Cells, NCI Thesaurus)
The NOVA2 KH3 domain interacts with single-stranded RNA; KH3 bound to stem loop RNA resembles a vise, with UCAC held between an invariant Gly-X-X-Gly motif and a variable loop.
(Neuro-Oncological Ventral Antigen 2, NCI Thesaurus)
They are formed from parts of the variable regions of the Fab fragment of the immunoglobulin.
(Antibody Binding Site, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)
The biologic behavior of astroblastomas is variable, so no WHO grade has been established, yet.
(Astroblastoma, NCI Thesaurus)
There are variable numbers of polypoid nodules, often with an abundant, loose myxoid stroma.
(Botryoid-Type Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma, NCI Thesaurus)
Intermediate grade glial neoplasm characterized by increased cellularity, nuclear pleomorphism, mitoses, and variable vascular endothelial proliferation without tumor necrosis.
(Mouse Anaplastic Astrocytoma, NCI Thesaurus/MMHCC)
A clonal disorder characterized by the secretion of a mu heavy chain that lacks a variable region.
(Mu Heavy Chain Disease, NCI Thesaurus)
An electrocardiographic finding of a supraventricular arrhythmia characterized by 3 or more distinct P wave morphologies with an isoelectric baseline, variable PR intervals and no predominant atrial rhythm.
(Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia by ECG Finding, NCI Thesaurus/CDISC)
