quadrate

American  

[kwod-rit, -reyt, kwod-reyt] / ˈkwɒd rɪt, -reɪt, ˈkwɒd reɪt /

adjective

1. square or rectangular.

2. Zoology. of or relating to the quadrate.

3. Heraldry. (of a cross) having an enlarged square at the junction of the limbs.

   a cross quadrate.

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noun

1. a square.

2. something square or rectangular.

3. Zoology. one of a pair of bones in the skulls of many lower vertebrates, to which the lower jaw is articulated.

verb (used with object)

quadrated, quadrating

1. to cause to conform or harmonize; adapt.

verb (used without object)

quadrated, quadrating

1. to agree; conform.

quadrate British  

noun

1. a cube, square, or a square or cubelike object

2. one of a pair of bones of the upper jaw of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, and birds that articulates with the lower jaw. In mammals it forms the incus

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adjective

1. of or relating to this bone

2. square or rectangular

verb

1. (tr) to make square or rectangular

2. (often foll by with) to conform or cause to conform

Other Word Forms

• subquadrate adjective

Etymology

Origin of quadrate

1350–1400; Middle English quadrat (noun and adj.) < Latin quadrātus (past participle of quadrāre to make square)

Example Sentences

Foxes pause ghostlike on the permafrost.With one quadrate eye, the vault reflects a frigid blue sea.

From Scientific American • Jun. 14, 2022

Kemp, T. S. Acoustic transformer function of the postdentary bones and quadrate of a nonmammalian cynodont.

From Nature • Nov. 12, 2017

Turning is, by definition, a deviation from a forward course—precisely the action that is supposed to be nullified by the hydrodynamic characteristics of your lovely, quadrate bod.

From Slate • Mar. 11, 2015

The malleus originated from the articular bone, whereas the incus originated from the quadrate bone.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The lower jaw varies in relative length with the vertical or horizontal position of the quadrate bone in the skull.

From Dragons of the Air An Account of Extinct Flying Reptiles by Seeley, H. G.