| 释义 |
variability|vɛərɪəˈbɪlɪtɪ|
[f. next + -ity, or a. F. variabilité, = It. variabilità, Sp. variabilidad, Pg. -idade.]
1. The fact or quality of being variable in some respect; tendency towards, capacity for, variation or change.
1771E. Griffith Hist. Lady Barton I. 29 In her outward appearance there is a variability, that renders it almost impossible to draw an exact resemblance of her. 1796Burke Regic. Peace Wks. 1842 II. 355 His protest against binding him to his opinions, and his reservation of a right to whatever opinions he pleases, remain in their full force. This variability is pleasant, and shews a fertility of fancy. 1839Lady Lytton Cheveley III. 146 It is this atmospheric variability..that occasions the thousand little dissensions that spring from love itself. 1869Phillips Vesuvius viii. 246 Reasonings on the variability of the relative level of land and sea. 1885Contemp. Rev. June 901 They made too little account of the variability of human nature and circumstances.
2. spec.
a. The fact of, or capacity for, varying in amount, magnitude, or value.
1816tr. Lacroix's Diff. & Int. Calculus 157 From this may be deduced the differential coefficient of z, relative to the variability of x. 1870T. L. Phipson tr. Guillemin's Sun 282 The variability of a certain number of stars. 1873H. Spencer Sociol. vi. 124 The variability of the ratio..being duly conceived in terms of lines that lengthen and shorten.
b. Biol. Capability in plants or animals of variation or deviation from a type.
1832Lyell Princ. Geol. (1835) II. 449 Variability of a species compared to that of an individual. 1859Darwin Orig. Spec. i. 40 A high degree of variability is obviously favourable, as freely giving the materials for selection to work on. 1880Wallace Island Life iv. 58 The belief in the variability of all animals in all their parts and organs. |