What is the meaning of variant?

noun

• An event that departs from expectations.
  • synonyms: discrepancy, variance
• Biology) a group of organisms within a species that differ in trivial ways from similar groups. (
  • usage: "a new strain of microorganisms"
  • synonyms: form, strain, var.
• A variable quantity that is random.
  • synonyms: random variable, variate, stochastic variable, chance variable
• Something a little different from others of the same type.
  • usage: "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"
  • synonyms: version, variation, edition

adjective

• Differing from a norm or standard.
  • usage: "a variant spelling"
• Exhibiting variation and change.
  • usage: "letters variant in size"