varš

Apparently from earlier Proto-Baltic *varyas (adjective), referring to some metallic property: maybe its easy melting (Proto-Indo-European *wor-yo-, from *wor- (“to boil, to melt”)), maybe its flexibility (Proto-Indo-European *wer-yo- from *wer- (“to turn, to bend”)). Either way, the Baltic terms are quite unique within Indo-European; other branches have non-cognate terms for “copper”, like Latin cuprum (cf. Latvian kapars) or Russian медь (medʹ). Cognates include Lithuanian vãrias, vãris, Old Prussian wargien.[1]

varš m (1st declension)

1. copper (metallic reddish-brown chemical element, with atomic number 29)

   vara savienojumi ― copper compounds

   vara sāļi, sulfāts, oksīds ― copper salts, sulphate, oxide

   vara sakausējumi ― copper alloys

   vara rūda, minerāli ― copper ore, minerals

   vara rūpniecība ― copper industry

   vara trauki ― copper cookware

   vara zvans, gongs ― copper bell, gong

   vara stieple ― copper wire

   vara nauda ― copper money (coins)

   vara sarkans, vara krāsa ― copper red, copper color

   vara laikmets ― the Copper Age

• kapars