vara

Vara is a term that appears in several languages and contexts, serving as a historical unit of measure, a judicial designation in some jurisdictions, and as a surname or place name in Iberian-influenced regions.

As a unit of length, the vara was a historic Spanish measurement used for land surveying and textile trade. The length varied by region and period, but a commonly cited value is about 0.8359 meters (roughly 33 inches). It was used in Spain and spread to overseas territories during the colonial era, where it underpinned land records and commercial transactions.

In Brazilian and other Portuguese-speaking contexts, a vara denotes a division within a court, such as a Vara Cível (civil court) or Vara de Família. Each vara handles specific types of cases within a geographic jurisdiction, and it is staffed by judges, clerks, and support personnel. The term functions as a practical unit within the judicial hierarchy, indicating both the specific docket area and the location of proceedings.

Vara also appears as a surname and as a place name in regions influenced by Iberian languages. As a surname, it is found in various Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking communities, while as a toponym it can refer to locales in different countries.

Etymology and meaning trace back to Latin virga, meaning a rod or wand. The word entered Spanish and Portuguese with senses related to both a length measurement and a staff or rod, later diversifying into the organizational term used in courts.