1 | noun | an event that departs from expectations 2 | noun | discord that splits a group 3 | noun | the second moment around the mean; the expected value of the square of the deviations of a random variable from its mean value 4 | noun | a difference between conflicting facts or claims or opinions 5 | noun | the quality of being subject to variation 6 | noun | an official dispensation to act contrary to a rule or regulation (typically a building regulation) 7 | noun | an activity that varies from a norm or standard (7 meanings)

v'ereeuhns (IPA: vˈɛriəns)

var-i-ance (8 letters | 3 syllables)

1340 (High Middle ages) (685 years ago)

Old French | Latin

variances

discrepancy | variant | division | disagreement | disparity | divergence | variability | variableness | vicissitude | variation (total: 10)

covariance | standard deviation | allowance | leeway | margin | tolerance | personal equation | variedness | variegation (total: 9)

departure | deviation | difference | divergence | discord | dissension | moment | changeability | changeableness | dispensation | activity (total: 11)

invariance (based on typical American pronunciation)

valiance

(none among common words)

analysis of variance | at variance

variance.com | variance.org | variance.info | variance.biz

Case for a planning board (based on all New York Times crossword puzzles 1994 to 2009)

13 (International English) | 13 (North American English)