variance

noun

1. 1

   an activity that varies from a norm or standard

   any variation in his routine was immediately reported

2. 2

   an official dispensation to act contrary to a rule or regulation (typically a building regulation)

   a zoning variance

3. 3

   the quality of being subject to variation

4. 4

   a difference between conflicting facts or claims or opinions

   a growing divergence of opinion

5. 5

   the second moment around the mean; the expected value of the square of the deviations of a random variable from its mean value

6. 6

   discord that splits a group

7. 7

   an event that departs from expectations