variance
UK: ˈveə.ri.əns | US: ˈver.i.əns
n. the quality or state of being different or divergent
n. (statistics) a measure of the dispersion of a set of data points
n. (legal) a discrepancy between two statements or documents
The word "variance" traces back to Latin variantia ("difference, divergence"), derived from varius. It entered Middle English via Old French variance, retaining its core idea of "changeability" or "disagreement." The statistical sense emerged in the 19th century to quantify data spread, aligning with the original notion of divergence.
The variance in opinions made consensus difficult.
High variance in test scores suggests uneven preparation.
The contract was rejected due to variances between drafts.
Genetic variance contributes to species adaptability.
The artist embraced color variance to create dynamic contrasts.