+##############
+
+#hmmm: moved from functions.sh; does that hose everything up?
+
+ # defines a variable within the feisty meow environment and remembers that
+ # this is a new or modified definition. if the feisty meow codebase is
+ # unloaded, then so are all the variables that were defined.
+ # this function always exports the variables it defines.
+ function define_yeti_variable()
+ {
+# if variable exists already, save old value for restore,
+# otherwise save null value for restore,
+# have to handle unsetting if there was no prior value of one
+# we newly defined.
+# add variable name to a list of feisty defined variables.
+
+#hmmm: first implem just sets it up and exports the variable.
+# i.e., this method always exports.
+export "${@}"
+
+
+return 0
+ }
+
+