Wordnet 3.0
NOUN (1)
1.
an unexpected and inexplicable change in something (in a situation or a person's behavior, etc.);
- Example: "the vagaries of the weather"- Example: "his wealth fluctuates with the vagaries of the stock market"- Example: "he has dealt with human vagaries for many years"
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Vagary \Va*ga"ry\ (v[.a]*g[=a]"r[y^] or v[a^]g"[.a]*r[-e]), n.;
pl. Vagaries (v[.a]*g[=a]"r[i^]z or v[a^]g"[.a]*r[-e]z).
[L. vagari to stroll about. See Vague.]
[1913 Webster]
1. A wandering or strolling. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
2. Hence, a wandering of the thoughts; a wild or fanciful
freak; a whim; a whimsical purpose. "The vagaries of a
child." --Spectator.
[1913 Webster]
They changed their minds,
Flew off, and into strange vagaries fell. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
vagary
n 1: an unexpected and inexplicable change in something (in a
situation or a person's behavior, etc.); "the vagaries of
the weather"; "his wealth fluctuates with the vagaries of
the stock market"; "he has dealt with human vagaries for
many years"