quadrangle

American  

[kwod-rang-guhl] / 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.

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quadrangle British  

/ kwɒˈdræŋɡjʊlə, 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. Often shortened to: quad.  a rectangular courtyard, esp one having buildings on all four sides

3. the building surrounding such a courtyard

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Other Word Forms

• quadrangled
  adjective
• quadrangular
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of quadrangle

1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin quadrangulum, noun use of neuter of Latin quadrangulus, quadriangulus four-cornered. See quadr-, angle ¹

Explanation

A quadrangle is a four-sided polygon, like a square or rectangle. On a college campus, the quadrangle could be the grassy rectangular space between dorms, where co-eds throw Frisbees and flirt. Most college campuses have at least one quadrangle, a rectangular public area made cozy by surrounding buildings. The college quadrangle is almost always referred to as the quad, and this has been true since the 1820s when it became popular slang at Oxford University. The Late Latin quadrangulum, or "four-sided figure," inspired the word quadrangle.

Example Sentences

Supporters of the Popular University for Gaza liberated zone formed in the Liberal Arts Quadrangle, where well over 100 tents are set up, encouraged its members not to engage with Kirk.

From Seattle Times • May 7, 2024

King Charles III and senior members of the Royal Family are expected to join the cortege in the Quadrangle in Windsor Castle a little later.

From BBC • Sep. 18, 2022

They had previously mined existing video footage to study astronaut culture, but their Sampling Quadrangle Assemblages Research Experiment, dubbed SQuARE, marks the first real off-world “dig.”

From Scientific American • Apr. 1, 2022

Prior to the ceremony, members of the military gathered in ceremonial formation in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle prior to the funeral procession.

From Fox News • Apr. 17, 2021

It was an Eternal Quadrangle, which was eternal as well as quadrangular.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White