1.  variant(n = noun.event) discrepancy, variance - an event that departs from expectations;
is a kind of departure, deviation, difference, divergence
Derived forms adjective variant₁, verb vary₂

2.  variant(n = noun.group) form, strain, var. - (biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ in trivial ways from similar groups; "a new strain of microorganisms"
is a kind of taxon, taxonomic category, taxonomic group
is a member of species
Derived form adjective variant₂

3.  variant(n = noun.cognition) chance variable, random variable, stochastic variable, variate - a variable quantity that is random;
is a kind of variable, variable quantity

4.  variant(n = noun.cognition) edition, variation, version - something a little different from others of the same type; "an experimental version of the night fighter"; "a variant of the same word"; "an emery wheel is the modern variation of a grindstone"; "the boy is a younger edition of his father"
is a kind of type
Derived forms adjective variant₂, verb vary₁

1.  variant(s = adj.all) - differing from a norm or standard; "a variant spelling"
Derived forms noun variance₇, noun variant₁, verb vary₁, verb vary₂, verb vary₃

2.  variant(s = adj.all) - exhibiting variation and change; "letters variant in size"
Derived forms noun variance₅, noun variant₄, noun variant₂, verb vary₄, verb vary₃

1.  Varying in form, character, or the like; variable; different; diverse. [1913 Webster]

2.  Changeable; changing; fickle. [1913 Webster]
"He is so variant, he abit [abides] nowhere." [1913 Webster]

   Something which differs in form from another thing, though really the same; as, a variant from a type in natural history; a variant of a story or a word. [1913 Webster]

variant, adj. & n.
--adj.
1 differing in form or details from the main one (a variant spelling).
2 having different forms (forty variant types of pigeon).
3 variable or changing.
--n. a variant form, spelling, type, reading, etc.

Etymology:
ME f. OF (as VARY)