Color variant (3)
I believe the answer is:
hue
'color variant' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for hue that I've seen before include "Tinge" , "General outburst of alarm or protest - . . . and cry" , "red or black, say" , "Shade, aspect; Vietnam port" , "'Pigment, colour (3)'" .)