quadru-
(ˈkwɒdruː)
a variant of quadri-; in L. restricted to a few formations in which the second element begins with p, as quadrupēs, quadruplex, quadruplus, and their derivatives. Apart from words based on these L. forms, mod. Eng. has quadru- only in quadrumanous etc. (after quadruped), but a few other examples are found in 16–17th c., as quadrucorn, a four-horned animal; quadrulapse, a fourth lapse or fall; quadrupart(ed) = quadripartite a. Also quadru-pawed nonce-wd., having four paws.
| 1575 Sir T. Gresham in Wills Doctors' Comm. (Camden) 64 The said indenture quadrupartted dated the saide xxth day of Maie. 1600 W. Watson Decacordon (1602) 203 The quadrupart monarchie began in Babylon vnder Nabuchodonosor. 1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts (1658) 546 The Oryx..which Aristotle and Pliny call a unicorn, Aelianus a quadrucorn. 1663 in Cramond Annals of Banff (1893) II. 43 Helen Morrison is ordained to appear..in Sackcloth, it being a quadrulapse. 1685 Rec. Dingwall Presb. (Sc. Hist. Soc.) 357 [A] quadrulapse in fornication. 1828 Sterling Ess. etc. (1848) II. 35 A quadru-pawed monster. |