a cognomen in many Roman gentes, was indicative, like many other Roman cognomens, of a bodily defect or peculiarity; such as Capilo, Naso, Paetus, Strabo, Scaurus, &c. Varus signified a person who had his legs bent inwards (varum distortis cruribus, Hor. Sat. 1.3. 47), and was opposed to Valgus, which signified a person having his legs turned outwards.
A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology
Smith, William
A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890