The term 'varied within limits' can be summed up as the act of changing something within a certain range. This phrase is often used to describe a situation where something is altered, but only within a certain set of parameters. For example, a person may be allowed to vary their diet within certain nutritional limits, or a company may be allowed to vary its production methods within certain safety regulations. The crossword solution for this term is 'RANGED', which means to arrange or order something in a particular way.