Variorum

A Variorum is a work that collates all known variants of a text. It is a work of textual criticism, whereby all variations and emendations are set side by side so that a reader can track how textual decisions have been made in the preparation of a text for publication.

Two works have received the most notable and useful variorums. A variorum of the Bible has been produced at various times in history and of various scopes. For example, setting each line of text with all variants in wording from all known source documents, presented chronologically, helps translators of the Bible establish primacy and prevalence of a given line reading. There have also been noteworthy variorums of the works of William Shakespeare, where the readings of all quartos, the two folios, and all editor choices, complete with a compilation of all critical notes, has helped present editors understand the historical evolution of contemporary Shakespeare plays as well as to decode dubious lines and decide upon most likely authorial intent.