[In sense 1, a. mod.L. variātor; in sense 2, f. VARIATE v. + -OR.]

1

  † 1.  In University use: (see VARY v. 5 d). Obs.

2

1749.  Pointer, Oxon. Acad., 18. The Variator opposing Aristotle, in three Latin Speeches.

3

  2.  A kind of joint, esp. used in electric subways, to compensate for variations of length in the connections, due to changes of temperature.

4

1891.  in Cent. Dict.

5