varietyn.[L. varietas: cf. F. varit. See Various.]()1. The quality or state of being various; intermixture or succession of different things; diversity; multifariousness.()Variety is nothing else but a continued novelty. (South.)The variety of colors depends upon the composition of light. (Sir I. Newton.)For earth hath this variety from heaven. (Milton.)There is a variety in the tempers of good men. (Atterbury.)2. That which is various.() A number or collection of different things; a varied assortment; as, a variety of cottons and silks.()He . . . wants more time to do that variety of good which his soul thirsts after. (Law.) Something varying or differing from others of the same general kind; one of a number of things that are akin; a sort; as, varieties of wood, land, rocks, etc.() (Biol.) An individual, or group of individuals, of a species differing from the rest in some one or more of the characteristics typical of the species, and capable either of perpetuating itself for a period, or of being perpetuated by artificial means; hence, a subdivision, or peculiar form, of a species.()() In inorganic nature, one of those forms in which a species may occur, which differ in minor characteristics of structure, color, purity of composition, etc.()()3. (Theaters) Such entertainment as in given in variety shows; the production of, or performance in, variety shows.()Geographical variety (Biol.), a variety of any species which is coincident with a geographical region, and is usually dependent upon, or caused by, peculiarities of climate. -- Variety hybrid (Biol.), a cross between two individuals of different varieties of the same species; a mongrel.()()All sorts are here that all the earth yields!
Variety without end. (Milton.)But see in all corporeal nature's scene,
What changes, what diversities, have been! (Blackmore.)