I. (ˈ)kwä|drad.]ik, -at], ]ēk sometimes (ˈ)kwȯ|- adjective
Etymology: quadrate (II) + -ic
1. : of, relating to, or resembling a square : square
2. : having terms of second degree as the highest
a quadratic equation is one in which the highest power of the unknown quantity is a square
3. : tetragonal
quadratic system in crystallography
II. noun
( -s )
1. : a quadratic polynomial or polynomial equation
3 x 2 +4 x -1.0 is a quadratic
2. qua·drat·ics kwäˈdrad.iks\ plural but singular or plural in construction : a branch of algebra treating of quadratic equations