n., adj., adv., & v.
--n.
1. an equilateral rectangle.
2 a an object of this shape or approximately this shape. b a small square area on a game-board. c a square scarf. d an academic cap with a stiff square top; a mortarboard.
3 a an open (usu. four-sided) area surrounded by buildings, esp. one planted with trees etc. and surrounded by houses. b an open area at the meeting of streets. c Cricket a closer-cut area at the centre of a ground, any strip of which may be prepared as a wicket. d an area within barracks etc. for drill. e US a block of buildings bounded by four streets.
4 the product of a number multiplied by itself (81 is the square of 9).
5 an L-shaped or T-shaped instrument for obtaining or testing right angles.
6 sl. a conventional or old-fashioned person, one ignorant of or opposed to current trends.
7 a square arrangement of letters, figures, etc.
8 a body of infantry drawn up in rectangular form.
9 a unit of 100 sq. ft. as a measure of flooring etc.
10 US a square meal (three squares a day).
--adj.
1. having the shape of a square.
2 having or in the form of a right angle (table with square corners).
3 angular and not round; of square section (has a square jaw).
4 designating a unit of measure equal to the area of a square whose side is one of the unit specified (square metre).
5 (often foll. by with) a level, parallel. b on a proper footing; even, quits.
6 a (usu. foll. by to) at right angles. b Cricket on a line through the stumps at right angles to the wicket.
7 having the breadth more nearly equal to the length or height than is usual (a man of square frame).
8 properly arranged; in good order, settled (get things square).
9 (also all square) a not in debt, with no money owed. b having equal scores, esp. Golf having won the same number of holes as one's opponent. c (of scores) equal.
10 fair and honest (his dealings are not always quite square).
11 uncompromising, direct, thorough (was met with a square refusal).
12 sl. conventional or old-fashioned, unsophisticated, conservative (cf. sense 6 of n.).
13 Mus. (of rhythm) simple, straightforward.
--adv.
1. squarely (sat square on his seat).
2 fairly, honestly (play square).
--v.
1. tr. make square or rectangular, give a rectangular cross-section to (timber etc.).
2 tr. multiply (a number) by itself (3 squared is 9).
3 tr. & intr. (usu. foll. by to, with) adjust; make or be suitable or consistent; reconcile (the results do not square with your conclusions).
4 tr. mark out in squares.
5 tr. settle or pay (a bill etc.).
6 tr. place (one's shoulders etc.) squarely facing forwards.
7 tr. colloq. a pay or bribe. b secure the acquiescence etc. of (a person) in this way.
8 tr. (also absol.) make the scores of (a match etc.) all square.
9 intr. assume the attitude of a boxer.
10 tr. Naut. a lay (yards) at right angles with the keel making them at the same time horizontal. b get (dead-eyes) horizontal. c get (ratlines) horizontal and parallel to one another.
Phrases and idioms:
back to square one colloq. back to the starting-point with no progress made. get square with pay or compound with (a creditor). on the square adj.
1. colloq. honest, fair.
2 having membership of the Freemasons.
--adv. colloq. honestly, fairly (can be trusted to act on the square). out of square not at right angles. perfect square square number. square accounts with see ACCOUNT. square away US tidy up. square-bashing Brit. Mil. sl. drill on a barrack-square. square brackets brackets of the form
Etymology: . square-built of comparatively broad shape. square the circle
1. construct a square equal in area to a given circle (a problem incapable of a purely geometrical solution).
2 do what is impossible. square dance a dance with usu. four couples facing inwards from four sides. square deal a fair bargain, fair treatment. squared paper paper marked out in squares, esp. for plotting graphs. square-eyed joc. affected by or given to excessive viewing of television.
square leg Cricket
1. the fielding position at some distance on the batsman's leg side and nearly opposite the stumps.
2 a fielder in this position. square meal a substantial and satisfying meal. square measure measure expressed in square units. square number the square of an integer e.g. 1, 4, 9, 16. square off 1 US assume the attitude of a boxer.
2 Austral. placate or conciliate.
3 mark out in squares. square peg in a round hole see PEG. square piano an early type of piano, small and oblong in shape. square-rigged with the principal sails at right angles to the length of the ship and extended by horizontal yards slung to the mast by the middle (opp. fore-and-aft rigged). square root the number that multiplied by itself gives a specified number (3 is the square root of 9). square sail a four-cornered sail extended on a yard slung to the mast by the middle. square-shouldered with broad and not sloping shoulders (cf. round-shouldered).
square-toed
1. (of shoes or boots) having square toes.
2 wearing such shoes or boots.
3 formal, prim. square up settle an account etc.
square up to
1. move towards (a person) in a fighting attitude.
2 face and tackle (a difficulty etc.) resolutely. square wave Physics a wave with periodic sudden alternations between only two values of quantity.
Derivatives:
squarely adv. squareness n. squarer n. squarish adj.
Etymology: ME f. OF esquare, esquarr{eacute}, esquarrer, ult. f. EX-(1) + L quadra square