vara

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

vara
    n 1: a Spanish unit of length (about a yard) having different
         values in different localities

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Vara \Va"ra\, n. [Sp. See 1st {Vare}.]
   A Spanish measure of length equal to about one yard. The vara
   now in use equals 33.385 inches. --Johnson's Cyc.
   [1913 Webster]