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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Variable \Va"ri*a*ble\, a. [L. variabilis: cf. F. variable.]
1. Having the capacity of varying or changing; capable of
alternation in any manner; changeable; as, variable winds
or seasons; a variable quantity.
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2. Liable to vary; too susceptible of change; mutable;
fickle; unsteady; inconstant; as, the affections of men
are variable; passions are variable.
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Lest that thy love prove likewise variable. --Shak.
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His heart, I know, how variable and vain! --Milton.
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{Variable exhaust} (Steam Eng.), a blast pipe with an
adjustable opening.

{Variable quantity} (Math.), a variable.

{Variable-rate mortgage} (Finance), a mortgage whose
percentage interest rate varies depending on some agreed
standard, such as the prime rate; -- used often in
financing the purchase of a home. Such a mortgage usually
has a lower initial interest rate than a {fixed-rate
mortgage}, and this permits buyers of a home to finance
the purchase a house of higher price than would be
possible with a fixed-rate loan.

{Variable stars} (Astron.), fixed stars which vary in their
brightness, usually in more or less uniform periods.
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Syn: Changeable; mutable; fickle; wavering; unsteady;
versatile; inconstant.
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Variable \Va"ri*a*ble\, n.
1. That which is variable; that which varies, or is subject
to change.
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2. (Math.) A quantity which may increase or decrease; a
quantity which admits of an infinite number of values in
the same expression; a variable quantity; as, in the
equation x^{2} - y^{2} = R^{2}, x and y are variables.
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3. (Naut.)
(a) A shifting wind, or one that varies in force.
(b) pl. Those parts of the sea where a steady wind is not
expected, especially the parts between the trade-wind
belts.
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{Independent variable} (Math.), that one of two or more
variables, connected with each other in any way whatever,
to which changes are supposed to be given at will. Thus,
in the equation x^{2} - y^{2} = R^{2}, if arbitrary
changes are supposed to be given to x, then x is the
independent variable, and y is called a function of x.
There may be two or more independent variables in an
equation or problem. Cf. {Dependent variable}, under
{Dependent}.
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