[L., gen. pl. masc. of varius VARIOUS a., in the phrase editio cum notis variorum (see def.).]
1. An edition, esp. of the complete works of a classical author, containing the notes of various commentators or editors. Also in the full phrase Variorum edition.
1728. Chambers, Cycl., s.v., A set of Dutch Variorums. Ibid., The Variorums, for the generality, are the best Editions.
1824. Scott, Lett. to Constable, 6 Jan. In the shape of these inimitable Variorums, who knows what new ideas the Classics may suggest?
1826. Miss Mitford, Village, II. (1863), 268. I should like to see a variorum edition of our Pizarro.
1870. Lowell, Among My Books, Ser. I. 162. The serious notes of a variorum edition of Shakespeare.
b. attrib., as variorum classic, comment, or with the name of the author.
a. 1763. Byrom, Misc. Poems (1773), II. 333. The variorum Comments.
1802. Dibdin, Edit. Classics, 11. The second edition [of Claudian] … is esteemed one of the scarcest of the Variorum Classics.
1822. Scott, Nigel, Introd. Epist. The Prolegomena of the Variorum Shakspeare.
c. As adj. in the sense ‘obtained or collected from various books or sources.’
1883. American, VII. 170. Outlines of the Chief Political Changes in the History of the World, Arranged by Centuries, with Variorum Illustrations.
1887. Athenæum, 13 Aug., 210/3. In his variorum readings of the name from old records he has obviously misread t for c in several instances.
2. fig. Variation; a varying or changing scene.
3. Skinner, Tullochgorum, Wks. 1809, III. 136. Dull Italian lays,… They’re dowf and dowie at the best, Wi’ a’ their variorum.
1785. Burns, Jolly Beggars, 8th Air. Life is all a variorum, We regard not how it goes.
