quadrangle

[kwod-rang-guh l] /ˈkwɒdˌræŋ gəl/
noun
1.
a plane figure having four angles and four sides, as a square.
2.
a square or quadrangular space or court that is surrounded by a building or buildings, as on a college campus.
3.
the building or buildings around such a space or court.
4.
the area shown on one of the standard topographic map sheets published by the U.S. Geological Survey: approximately 17 miles (27 km) north to south and from 11 to 15 miles (17 to 24 km) east to west.
Origin
1400-50; late Middle English < Late Latin quadrangulum, noun use of neuter of Latin quadrangulus, quadriangulus four-cornered. See quadr-, angle
Related forms
quadrangled, adjective
Examples from the web for quadrangle
  • The university is organizing a walking meditation on the quadrangle during that half hour.
  • The architects organized the complex around a double-height, skylight-covered quadrangle.
  • As the romantic quadrangle plays itself out in chases and tugs of war, the four end up partly undressed.
  • Laboriously lettered signs welcome visitors into the quadrangle where a host of animated figures surround them on all sides.
British Dictionary definitions for quadrangle

quadrangle

/ˈkwɒdˌræŋɡəl/
noun
1.
(geometry) a plane figure consisting of four points connected by four lines. In a complete quadrangle, six lines connect all pairs of points
2.
a rectangular courtyard, esp one having buildings on all four sides Often shortened to quad
3.
the building surrounding such a courtyard
Derived Forms
quadrangular (kwɒˈdræŋɡjʊlə) adjective
Word Origin
C15: from Late Latin quadrangulum figure having four corners
Word Origin and History for quadrangle
n.

late 14c., from Old French quadrangle (13c.) and directly from Late Latin quadrangulum "four-sided figure," noun use of neuter of Latin adjective quadrangulus "having four quarters," from Latin quattuor "four" (see four) + angulus "angle" (see angle (n.)). Meaning "four-sided court between buildings" is from 1590s.