a. Biol. and Bot. [f. VARIET-Y + -AL.] Of or pertaining to, connected with, indicating, etc., a distinct variety of animal or plant. Opposed to specific or generic.
1866. Darwin, Orig. Spec. (ed. 4), ii. 59. He is at first much perplexed in determining what differences to consider as specific, and what as varietal.
1873. Dawson, Earth & Man, xiv. 319. The careful study of varietal forms.
1881. Lees, in Jrnl. Bot., X. 25. Quite sufficiently distinct to merit a varietal if not a specific name.
1902. Jrnl. R. Instit. Cornwall, XV. 123. No one can deny that it merits varietal rank.
Hence Varietally adv., in respect of varietal qualities; as a distinct variety.
1873. Dawson, Earth & Man, xii. 290. Not only did man exist at this time, but man not even varietally distinct from modern European races.
1879. Encycl. Brit., IX. 386/2. Foraminifera … which can be identified—not only generically and specifically, but even varietally.
