square

The definition of a square is a shape with four sides of equal length.

(noun)

An example of square is a space on a checker board.

Square means having four sides of equal length.

(adjective)

An example of square is a cake with four equal sides.

To square is to settle or make even.

(verb)

  1. An example of square is to pay money that is owed.
  2. An example of square is to straighten a picture on the wall so that it appears straight.

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See square in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. a plane figure having four equal sides and four right angles
    1. anything having or approximating this shape: a square of cloth
    2. any of the spaces on a board for chess, checkers, etc.
  2. ☆ block ()
    1. an open area bounded by, or at the intersection of, several streets, usually used as a park, plaza, etc.
    2. buildings surrounding such an area
  3. an instrument having two sides that form an angle of 90 degrees, used for drawing or testing right angles
  4. a solid piece with at least one face that is a square: to cut a cake into squares
  5. the product of a number or quantity multiplied by itself: 9 is the square of 3
  6. Informal a square meal: three squares a day
  7. Slang a person who is square ()

Origin: ME < OFr esquarre < VL *exquadra < *exquadrare, to make square < L ex, out + quadrare, to square < quadrus, a square < base of quattuor, four

transitive verb squared, squaring

    1. to make into a square; make square
    2. to make into any rectangle
  1. to test or adjust with regard to straightness or evenness: to square a surface with a straightedge
  2. to bring to or near to the form of a right angle: to square one's shoulders
    1. to settle; adjust; make right or even: to square accounts
    2. to adjust or settle the accounts of: to square oneself with another
  3. to make equal: to square the score of a game
  4. to bring into agreement; make conform: to square a statement with the facts
  5. to mark off (a surface) in a series of connected squares
  6. to bring into the correct position, as with reference to a line, course, etc.
  7. to multiply (a number or quantity) by itself
  8. to determine the square that is equal in area to (a figure)
  9. Slang to bribe

Origin: ME squaren < OFr esquarrer < VL *exquadrare

intransitive verb

to fit; agree; accord (with)

Origin: ME < OFr esquarre, pp. of esquarrer

adjective squarer, squarest

    1. having four equal sides and four right angles
    2. more or less cubical; rectangular and three-dimensional, as a box
  1. forming a right angle, or having a rectangular part or parts
  2. correctly adjusted or positioned; straight, level, even, etc.
    1. leaving no balance; balanced; even
    2. even in score; tied
  3. just; fair; honest
  4. clear; direct; straightforward; unequivocal: a square refusal
    1. designating or of a unit of surface measure in the form of a square having sides of a specified length
    2. given or stated in terms of such surface measure
  5. having a shape broad for its length or height, with a solid, sturdy appearance, and somewhat rectangular or rectilinear: a square jaw
  6. square or rectangular in cross section, as some files
  7. designating a number that is the product of another number multiplied by itself
  8. Informal satisfying; solid; substantial: a square meal
  9. Slang not conversant with the current fads, styles, slang, etc.; old-fashioned, unsophisticated, conservative, etc.
  10. Naut. at right angles to the keel and mast, as the yards of a square-rigged ship

adverb squarer, squarest

  1. honestly; fairly; justly
  2. so as to be or form a square; at right angles
  3. directly; exactly
  4. so as to face
  5. firmly; solidly

Related Forms:

See square in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. A plane figure having four equal sides.
  2. Something having an equal-sided rectangular form: a square of cloth.
  3. A T-shaped or L-shaped instrument for drawing or testing right angles.
  4. Mathematics The product obtained when a number or quantity is multiplied by itself: 49 is the square of 7.
  5. Games Any of the quadrilateral spaces on a board, as in chess.
  6. a. Abbr. Sq. An open, usually four-sided area at the intersection of two or more streets, often planted with grass and trees for use as a park.
    b. A rectangular space enclosed by streets and occupied by buildings; a block.
  7. Slang A person who is regarded as dull, rigidly conventional, and out of touch with current trends.
  8. Slang A square meal. Often used in the plural: three squares a day.
adjective squar·er, squar·est
  1. Having four equal sides and four right angles.
  2. Forming a right angle.
  3. a. Abbr. sq. Expressed in units measuring area: square feet.
    b. Having a specified length in each of two equal dimensions: a room that is 12 feet square.
  4. Having a base that is a square: a square pyramid.
  5. Nautical Set at right angles to the mast and keel. Used of the yards of a square-rigged ship.
  6. Approximately rectangular and equilateral in cross section: a square house.
  7. Characterized by blocklike solidity or sturdiness.
  8. Honest; direct: a square answer.
  9. Just; equitable: a square deal.
  10. Having all accounts settled; even.
  11. Sports Even; tied.
  12. Slang Rigidly conventional; dull.
verb squared squared, squar·ing, squares
verb, transitive
  1. To cut to a square or rectangular shape.
  2. To test for conformity to a desired plane, straight line, or right angle.
  3. To mark into squares. Often used with off.
  4. a. To bring into conformity or agreement: She could not square the request with her principles.
    b. To bring (oneself) into a better position or relation: He tried to square himself with his parents.
  5. To set straight or at approximate right angles: square one's cap.
  6. To bring into balance; settle: square a debt.
  7. Sports To even the score of: to square a game.
  8. Mathematics
    a. To raise (a number or quantity) to the second power.
    b. To find a square equal in area to (the area of a given figure).
  9. Informal To bribe or fix: a party in litigation that tried to square the judge.
verb, intransitive
  1. Mathematics To be at right angles.
  2. To agree or conform: a story that doesn't square with the facts.
adverb
  1. Mathematics At right angles.
  2. In a square shape.
  3. In a solid manner; firmly.
  4. Directly; straight: ran square into each other.
  5. In an honest, straightforward manner.
Phrasal Verbs: square away Nautical To square the yards of a sailing vessel. To put away or in order. square off To assume a fighting stance; prepare to fight. square up To settle a bill or debt.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French esquarre

Origin: , from Vulgar Latin *exquadra

Origin: , from *exquadrāre, to square

Origin: : Latin ex-, ex-

Origin: + quadrāre, to give a square shape to (from quadrum, a square; see kwetwer- in Indo-European roots)

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Related Forms:

  • squareˈness noun
  • squarˈer noun

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