I refer to the Word-A-Day for February 9th, 2010: prevaricate, and the comment under etymology that (latin) varus meant (english) knock-knee. Medical folks know that (latin) valgus means knock-knee, and (latin) varus means bow-leg. Knock-knee refers to legs bent in, while bow-leg refers to legs curving out.
Regards!
M.D.
My
Collins Gem Latin Dictionary agrees with Anu.
Valgus, 'bow-legged'.
Varus, 'knocked-kneed'. AHD4 seems to more agree with you, giving, in its etymology of
prevaricate,
varicare, 'to straddle' and for [i]varus[/i it only says 'bent'.
