What does $\delta$ mean in calculus of variations

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For example in vector calculus we have a directional derivative $\nabla_vf(u)=\lim_{h\to0}\frac{f(u+hv)-f(u)}{h}$ now what is the definition of $\delta$ in variational calculus? if it is the directional derivative in direction of some function then what is that function? Or is it like gradient a vector of derivatives for all possible functions?