Constant or variable dates before Lent? (9)
I believe the answer is:
steadfast
'constant' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'variable dates before lent?' is the wordplay.
'variable' is an anagram indicator (a varied form of the letters).
'before' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'lent?' becomes 'fast' (I've seen this before).
'dates' anagrammed gives 'stead'.
'stead'+'fast'='STEADFAST'
'or' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for steadfast that I've seen before include "Fixed, unyielding" , "Dedicated" , "Constant; true" , "Firm, fixed and faithful" , "Constant, not changing or yielding" .)