Zool. [ad. mod.L. Varan-us (Merrem, 1820), f. Ar. waran, var. of waral, monitor lizard. So F. Varan.] A lizard belonging to the genus Varanus or family Varanidæ; a monitor or varanian.
1843. Penny Cycl., XXVI. 131/1. The Heloderms have not the scales … with which they are covered surrounded by small squamous grains like the Varans.
1887. Sir H. H. Howorth, Mammoth & Flood, 370. Allied to the living varans and lace-lizards of Australia.
