ˈkwäˌdraŋgəl, -raiŋ- sometimes ˈkwȯˌ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin quadrangulum, quadriangulum, from Latin, neuter of quadrangulus, quadriangulus, from quadri- + angulus angle — more at angle
1. : a plane figure having four angles and consequently four sides : any figure having four angles
2.
a. : a square or quadrangular enclosure or court especially when surrounded by buildings (as in some schools and colleges)
b. : the building or group of buildings enclosing a quadrangle
c. : a building or mass of buildings quadrangular in form
3. : the tract of country represented by one of the atlas sheets published by the United States Geological Survey and measuring in densely populated regions 15′ in latitude by 15′ in longitude mapped on a scale of 1/62,500 and elsewhere 30′ × 30′ mapped on a scale of 1/125,00 or 1° × 1° on a scale of 1/250,00 ; also : a sheet representing such a tract
the determination of latitude and longitude is difficult without the possession of a U.S.G.S. quadrangle (for most small maps lack parallels and meridians) — Chronica Botanica
4. often capitalized : a rectangular area on the palm bounded by the lines of Head and Heart and usually held by palmists to indicate a person's attitude toward others (as broad-mindedness or bigotry)
a star in any portion of the quadrangle is an excellent sign — Louis Hamon
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- in quadrangle