† ˈsquadrant, n. and a. Obs.
[ad. It. squadrante, pres. pple. of squadrare to square.]
A. n.
1. A square piece of something; a side of a square. Cf. quadrant n.2 2 and 2 b.
| 1595 Locrine ii. v. 5 How brauely this yoong Brittain.., Mouing the massie squadrants of the ground, Heapes hills on hills. 1599 A. M. tr. Gabelhouer's Bk. Physicke 128/2 Put all this together in a little bagge, a qu. of an Elle in his squadrant. |
2. A squadron of soldiers or ships.
| 1614 Sir R. Dudley in Fortescue Papers (Camden) 11 His Majesty maye make as manye of these as he please for his safetye and strenthe, but lesse then 6 were no fitt squadrant. |
B. adj. Of a square form.
| 1599 A. M. tr. Gabelhouer's Bk. Physicke 310/2 Applye..theron a squadrante boulster moystened in wine. 1642 Bird Mag. Hon. 136 A List shall be made in an even and plain ground, then Squadrant, that is to say, every Square 60 foot East, West, North, and South. |