a plane figure having four angles and four sides, as a square.
a square or quadrangular space or court that is surrounded by a building or buildings, as on a college campus.
the building or buildings around such a space or court.
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 of quadrangle
1400–50;late Middle English < Late Latinquadrangulum, noun use of neuter of Latinquadrangulus, quadriangulus four-cornered. See quadr-, angle1
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.
