variant

adj : differing from a norm or standard; "a variant spelling"

n 1: an event that departs from expectations [syn: {discrepancy},

{variance}]

2: (biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ

in trivial ways from similar groups; "a new strain of

microorganisms" [syn: {form}, {strain}, {var.}]

3: a variable quantity that is random [syn: {random variable},

{variate}]

4: something a little different from others of the same type;

"an experimental version of the night fighter"; "an emery

wheel is a modern variant of the grindstone" [syn: {version},

{variation}]

invariant

A rule, such as the {ordering} of an ordered

list or {heap}, that applies throughout the life of a data

structure or procedure. Each change to the data structure

must maintain the correctness of the invariant.

(1996-03-12)