quadrate Definition
quad·rate (kwä′drit, -drāt′; for v., -drāt′)
adjective
- square or nearly square; rectangular
- Zool. designating a bone or cartilage of the skull in birds, bony fishes, amphibians, and reptiles, to which the lower jaw is joined
Etymology: ME < L quadratus, pp. of quadrare, to make square < quadrus, a square < quattuor, four
noun
- a square or rectangle
- a square or rectangular space, thing, etc.
- Zool. the quadrate bone
Etymology: ME < L quadratum < quadratus
intransitive verb -·rat′ed, -·rat′·ing
to square; agree (with)
transitive verb
to make square; make (something) conform
quadrate Usage Examples
Modifies a noun
bone: In mammals the quadrate bone is incorporated into the middle ear as the malleus.
Browse dictionary entries near quadrate
- ‹ quadrat
- ‹ quadraplex
- ‹ quadraphonic
- ‹ quadrant
- ‹ quadrangular
- ‹ quadrangle
- ‹ quadragesimal
- ‹ Quadragesima
- ‹ quadr-
- ‹ quadbit

