Vary \Va"ry\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Varied; p. pr. & vb. n.
Varying.]
[OE. varien, F. varier, L. variare, fr. varius
various. See Various, and cf. Variate.]
1. To change the aspect of; to alter in form, appearance,
substance, position, or the like; to make different by a
partial change; to modify; as, to vary the properties,
proportions, or nature of a thing; to vary a posture or an
attitude; to vary one's dress or opinions.
Shall we vary our device at will, Even as new
occasion appears? --Spenser.
2. To change to something else; to transmute; to exchange; to
alternate.
Gods, that never change their state, Vary oft their
love and hate. --Waller.
We are to vary the customs according to the time and
country where the scene of action lies. --Dryden.
3. To make of different kinds; to make different from one
another; to diversity; to variegate.
God hath varied their inclinations. --Sir T.
Browne.
God hath here Varied his bounty so with new
delights. --Milton.
4. (Mus.) To embellish; to change fancifully; to present
under new aspects, as of form, key, measure, etc. See
Variation, 4.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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