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• quadra
  quadra

  noun

  a small molding, as a fillet.
• quadra-
  quadra-

  variant of quadri-.

quadra

¹ American  

[kwod-ruh] / ˈkwɒd rə /

noun

Architecture.

plural

quadrae

1. a small molding, as a fillet.

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quadra- ² American  

1. variant of quadri-.

   quadraphony.

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Usage

What does quadra- mean? Quadra- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “four.” It is used in some technical and everyday terms. Quadra- comes from the Latin quattuor, meaning “four.” The Greek equivalent is tetra-, which also appears as tetr-, as in tetrahedron. Want to know more? Check out our Words That Use entries for tetr- and tetra-. What are variants of quadra-?Quadra- is a rare variant of quadri-, as in quadripole. When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, quadra- becomes quadr-, as in quadric. Before some labial consonants (such as -p- or -f-), quadra- becomes quadru-, as in quadruplex, which uses the Latin equivalent of the form. Want to learn more? Check out our Words That Use entries for quadr-, quadri-, and quadru-.

Etymology

Origin of quadra

1655–65; < Latin: fillet, side of a square, quadrant section