variation

noun

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

2. A related but distinct thing.

   “All of his soups are variations on a single recipe.”

3. The angular difference at the vessel between the direction of true north and magnetic north.

4. A line of play that differs from the original.

5. 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.

6. The modification of a hereditary trait.

7. Deviation from the mean orbit of a heavenly body.