not consistent or having a fixed pattern; liable to change 易变的,多变的,反复无定的 the quality of hospital food is highly variable. 医院的食物质量变化不定。 awards can be for highly variable amounts. 奖金数量可以很不一样。 ■(of a wind) tending to change direction (风)方向不定的 ■(Mathematics)(of a quantity) able to assume different numerical values (数)(数字)变量的 ■(Botany & Zoology)(of a species) liable to deviate from the typical colour or form, or to occur in different colours or forms (植,动)变异的;变型的;多变的
able to be changed or adapted 可变的;可更改的 the drill has variable speed. 这个钻机有可变速度。 ■(of a gear) designed to give varying ratios or speeds (齿轮)变速的
noun
an element, feature, or factor that is liable to vary or change 可变性;可变因素 there are too many variables involved to make any meaningful predictions. 涉及的可变因素太多,不可能作有意义的预言。 ■(Mathematics)a quantity which during a calculation is assumed to vary or be capable of varying in value (数)元;变量;变项;变元 ■(Computing)a data item that may take on more than one value during or between programs (计算机)变量(元) ■(Astronomy). short for variable star (天文)。 variable star 的简称 ■(variables)the region of light, variable winds to the north of the NE trade winds or (in the southern hemisphere) between the SE trade winds and the westerlies 变风区(东北信风带以北或南半球的东南信风带与西风带之间)