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Variation vs Alter - What's the difference?

variation | alter |

As a noun variation

is the act of varying; a partial change in the form, position, state, or qualities of a thing.

As a verb alter is

to change the form or structure of.

variation

Noun

(en-noun)
  • The act of varying; a partial change in the form, position, state, or qualities of a thing
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=May-June, author= David Van Tassel], [http://www.americanscientist.org/authors/detail/lee-dehaan Lee DeHaan
  • , title= Wild Plants to the Rescue , volume=101, issue=3, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=Plant breeding is always a numbers game.
  • A related but distinct thing.
  • (nautical) The angular difference at the vessel between the direction of true north and magnetic north. Also called magnetic declination.
  • (board games) A line of play that differs from the original.
  • (music) A technique where material is repeated with alterations to the melody, harmony, rhythm, timbre, texture, counterpoint or orchestration; but with some invariant characteristic, e.g. a ground bass.
  • Derived terms

    * magnetic variation * theme and variations

    References

    * US FM 55-501 MARINE CREWMAN’S HANDBOOK; 1 December 1999 * * ----

    alter

    English

    Alternative forms

    * altre (obsolete)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To change the form or structure of.
  • * Bible, Psalms lxxxix. 34
  • My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
  • * Shakespeare
  • No power in Venice can alter a decree.
  • * Alexander Pope
  • It gilds all objects, but it alters none.
  • To become different.
  • To tailor clothes to make them fit.
  • To castrate, neuter or spay (a dog or other animal).
  • (obsolete) To agitate; to affect mentally.
  • (Milton)

    Derived terms

    * alterer * alterability * alterative * alterable * alterably

    Anagrams

    * * * * * ----