variant

(noun) an event that departs from expectations. Synonyms: discrepancy, variance.

(noun) (biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ in trivial ways from similar groups. Synonyms: form, strain, var.. Examples: "A new strain of microorganisms."

(noun) a variable quantity that is random. Synonyms: random variable, variate, stochastic variable, chance variable.

(noun) something a little different from others of the same type. Synonyms: version, variation, edition. Examples: "An experimental version of the night fighter." "A variant of the same word." "An emery wheel is the modern variation of a grindstone." "The boy is a younger edition of his father."

(adj) differing from a norm or standard. Examples: "A variant spelling."

(adj) exhibiting variation and change. Examples: "Letters variant in size."