quad

[ kwod ]

/ kwɒd /

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noun Informal.

a quadrangle as on a college campus: The downpour started before we were halfway across the quad.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of quad

First recorded in 1810–20; by shortening

Other definitions for quad (2 of 9)

quad²

[ kwod ]

/ kwɒd /

Printing.

noun

Also called quadrat. a piece of type metal of less height than the lettered types, serving to cause a blank in printed matter, used for spacing: a wooden box of assorted quads.

verb (used with object), quad·ded, quad·ding.

to space out (matter) by means of quads: You'll need to quad this column tightly—the editor's letter is running a little long.

Origin of quad

First recorded in 1875–80; shortening of quadrat

OTHER WORDS FROM quad

un·quad·ded, adjective

Other definitions for quad (3 of 9)

quad³

[ kwod ]

/ kwɒd /

noun Informal.

a quadruplet: Can you believe how tiny those quads are?

Origin of quad

First recorded in 1895–1900; by shortening

Other definitions for quad (4 of 9)

quad⁴

[ kwod ]

/ kwɒd /

Informal.

adjective

quadraphonic: I remember when my quad turntable was the hottest new thing in record players.

noun

quadraphonic sound, or an electronic system for reproducing it: The recording sounded best in quad.

Origin of quad

⁴

First recorded in 1970–75; by shortening

Other definitions for quad (5 of 9)

quad⁵

[ kwod ]

/ kwɒd /

adjective

designating or comprising four persons or things: rates for quad occupancy; a quad-level house.

noun

Informal. quadruple occupancy: Rates are based on quad.

Origin of quad

⁵

First recorded in 1880–85; shortening of quadruple or words formed with quadri-

Other definitions for quad (6 of 9)

quad⁶

[ kwod ]

/ kwɒd /

noun Informal.

quadriplegic: a special ward for quads.

Origin of quad

⁶

First recorded in 1970–75; by shortening

Other definitions for quad (7 of 9)

quad⁷

noun Informal.

quadricep: Flex the right quad and push your weight toward the right heel.

Origin of quad

⁷

First recorded in 1955–60; by shortening

Other definitions for quad (8 of 9)

quad⁸

noun Informal.

quadcopter: These affordable quads are a boon to both amateur and professional photographers.

Origin of quad

⁸

First recorded in 2010–15; by shortening

Other definitions for quad (9 of 9)

quad.

abbreviation

quadrangle.

quadrant.

How to use quad in a sentence

After recuperating a bit, they might hit the climbing wall or the quad for some Frisbee golf.
College Kids Should Major in Leisure|Nick Romeo|May 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The rebels claim the quad-copter was being used by government forces to spy on their positions.
Iran’s Drone War in Syria|Patrick Hilsman|May 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Not because a quad along a Southern highway is an uncommon sight but because this woman also had a baby in her lap.
A History of American Fun|Stefan Beck|February 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In Russian cities, buildings are arranged in a quad, and all life happens on the inside, with eyes of windows watching over you.
How I Write: Elena Gorokhova|Noah Charney|August 2, 2012|DAILY BEAST

So here is some advice, addressed directly to those wretched of the quad, on how they can be really effective.
What Occupy Harvard Should Tell Liberal Elite Parents on Thanksgiving|Lee Siegel|November 20, 2011|DAILY BEAST
He took a long breath of relief as he shot down the polished groove of the slide into the Mob Quad.
What Rough Beast?|Jefferson Highe
As Ward went out the gate of the Quad, he felt his heart lift a little the way it always did when he started for home.
What Rough Beast?|Jefferson Highe
He pointed to the windows over the Quad where an occasional figure could be seen behind the glass.
What Rough Beast?|Jefferson Highe
Says it's "not his idea of living in College: more like living in Quad," he adds, humorously.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 93, October 15th 1887|Various
Meanwhile, another band had carried into the quad all the light tables and cane chairs from a lecture-room.
The Mark Of Cain|Andrew Lang

British Dictionary definitions for quad (1 of 6)

quad¹

/ (kwɒd) /

noun

short for quadrangle (def. 2)

British Dictionary definitions for quad (2 of 6)

quad²

/ (kwɒd) /

noun

printing a block of type metal used for spacing

British Dictionary definitions for quad (3 of 6)

quad³

/ (kwɒd) /

noun

a variant spelling of quod

British Dictionary definitions for quad (4 of 6)

quad⁴

/ (kwɒd) /

noun

short for quadruplet (def. 1)

British Dictionary definitions for quad (5 of 6)

quad⁵

/ (kwɒd) /

adjective, noun

short for quadraphonic or quadraphonicsSee quadraphonic

noun

anatomy short for quadriceps

British Dictionary definitions for quad (6 of 6)

quad.

abbreviation for

quadrangle

quadrilateral

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

quad

Origin of quad

Other definitions for quad (2 of 9)

Origin of quad

OTHER WORDS FROM quad

Other definitions for quad (3 of 9)

Origin of quad

Other definitions for quad (4 of 9)

Origin of quad

Other definitions for quad (5 of 9)

Origin of quad

Other definitions for quad (6 of 9)

Origin of quad

Other definitions for quad (7 of 9)

Origin of quad

Other definitions for quad (8 of 9)

Origin of quad

Other definitions for quad (9 of 9)

Words related to quad

How to use quad in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for quad (1 of 6)

British Dictionary definitions for quad (2 of 6)

British Dictionary definitions for quad (3 of 6)

British Dictionary definitions for quad (4 of 6)

British Dictionary definitions for quad (5 of 6)

British Dictionary definitions for quad (6 of 6)