variety

noun

1. A rank in a taxonomic classification below species and (if present) subspecies, and above form; hence, an organism of that rank.
2. A specific form of a language, neutral to whether that form is an accent, dialect, register, etc., and to its prestige level.
3. A stamp, or set of stamps, which has one or more characteristics (such as colour, paper, etc.) differing from other stamps in the same issue, especially if such differences are intentionally introduced.
4. A collection or number of different things.
5. In universal algebra: an equational class; the class of all algebraic structures of a given signature, satisfying a given set of identities.
6. Ellipsis of algebraic variety (“the set of solutions of a given system of polynomial equations over the real or complex numbers; any of certain generalisations of such a set that preserves the geometric intuition implicit in the original definition”).
7. The total number of distinct states of a system; also, the logarithm to the base 2 of the total number of distinct states of a system.
8. Ellipsis of variety performance or variety show (“a type of entertainment featuring a succession of short, unrelated performances by various artistes such as (depending on the medium) acrobats, comedians, dancers, magicians, singers, etc.”).
9. The quality of being varied; diversity.
10. The kind of entertainment given in variety performances or shows; also, the production of, or performance in, variety performances or shows.