I. ˈkwä-ˌdrāt, -drət 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
II. noun
Date: 15th century
1. : an approximately square or cubical area, space, or body
2. : a quadrate bone