Also 7 varra. [Sp. and Pg. vara rod, yardstick:—L. vāra forked pole, trestle, f. L. vārus bent.] A linear measure used in Spain, Portugal and Spanish America, of varying length in different localities, but usu. about 33 inches long; a Spanish yard. Cf. VARE1 1.

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1674.  Jeake, Arith. Surv. (1696), 115. The 100 Ells of Antwerp make at Cadiz … for Cloth 81 Varras.

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1748.  Earthquake of Peru, i. 39. Pizarro laid-down the Streets, and distributed the Spaces for the Houses, by Quarters, of 150 Varas or Spanish Yards, that is 64 Fathoms square.

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1811.  Pinkerton, Mod. Geogr. (ed. 3), 689. A mass of native iron … about 31/2 varas in length … and … half a vara in thickness.

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1850.  B. Taylor, Eldorado, xviii. (1862), 187. The minimum extent is two hundred varas square (a vara is a little less than a yard) of irrigable land.

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