Va"ri*ant (?), n. [Cf. F. variante.]
Something which differs in form from another thing, though really the
same; as, a variant from a type in natural history; a variant
of a story or a word.
Va"ri*ant (?), a. [L. varians, p. pr.
of variare to change: cf. F. variant. See Vary.]
1. Varying in from, character, or the like;
variable; different; diverse.
2. Changeable; changing; fickle. [Obs.]
He is variant, he abit [abides] nowhere.
Chaucer.