The many points subjected to variations (6)
I believe the answer is:
themes
'subjected to variations' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'the many points' is the wordplay.
'many' becomes 'm' (Roman numeral for a thousand).
'points' becomes 'es' (E is an example).
'the'+'m'+'es'='THEMES'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for themes that I've seen before include "Subjects or unifying ideas" , "Recurrent ideas" , "items proposed for discussion" , "Subject matters, motifs" , "Motifs, subjects" .)