Main Entry: ¹quad·rate

Pronunciation: \ˈkwä-ˌdrāt, -drət\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin quadratus, past participle of quadrare to make square, fit, from quadrum square; akin to Latin quattuor four

Date: 14th century

1 : being square or approximately square
2 of a heraldic cross : expanded into a square at the junction of the arms — see cross illustration
3 : of, relating to, or constituting a bony or cartilaginous element of each side of the skull to which the lower jaw is articulated in most vertebrates below mammals