What is "varifold"

n. (context mathematics English) A certain generalization of a differentiable manifold

In mathematics, a varifold is, loosely speaking, a measure-theoretic generalization of the concept of a differentiable manifold, by replacing differentiability requirements with those provided by rectifiable sets, while maintaining the general algebraic structure usually seen in differential geometry. More closely, the varifold generalize the idea of a rectifiable current. Varifolds are one of the topics of study in geometric measure theory.