▪ I. quadrangle, n.
(ˈkwɒdræŋg(ə)l)
[a. F. quadrangle (13th c.), ad. late L. quadrangulum, neut. of quadrangulus (see next), f. quadr- quadri- + angulus angle. The stressing quaˈdrangle, which appears in some of the quots., is given by Bailey, Ash, and Sheridan, and is still the constant Sc. use.]
1. a. Geom. A figure having four angles and therefore four sides.
In mod. Geom. a quadrangle is regarded as a figure formed by four points (vertices), three of which are not in the same straight line, and by the six straight lines which join the four points two by two. (Cf. quadrilateral.) In ordinary use the term commonly denotes a square or other rectangular figure: cf. quot. 1884 and senses 2 and 3.
| c 1430 Art of Nombrynge (E.E.T.S.) 14 ffor dyvisioun write by vnytes, hathe .4. sides even as a quadrangille. 1471 Ripley Comp. Alch. Ep. iv. in Ashm. (1652) 112 Of the Quadrangle make ye a Figure round. 1551 Recorde Pathw. Knowl. i. Defin., Thus haue I done with trianguled figures, and nowe foloweth quadrangles. 1653 R. Sanders Physiogn. 58 The Quadrangle is between the Table-line, the middle natural, that of the Sun, and that of Saturn, when there are four angles. 1869 Dunkin Midn. Sky 141 Eight stars forming two similar quadrangles. 1884 tr. Lotze's Logic 130 Nothing is commoner than for a person who speaks of a quadrangle to mean really a parallelogram or often even a square. |
b. Palmistry. (See quot. 1883.)
| 1883 Frith & Heron-Allen Chiromancy 138 The Quadrangle is that part of the human hand comprised between the line of the Head and the line of the Heart and between the line of Fate and the line of Apollo. 1895 H. Frith Pract. Palmistry iii. i. 121 The Quadrangle is an extremely important space, for upon its width and general appearance the mind and the disposition of the man or woman may be estimated and ‘reckoned up’. 1934 C. de Saint-Germain Study of Palmistry iv. 313/1 A cross in the Quadrangle touching the Line of Heart—Influence of the opposite sex on the subject... A cross in the Quadrangle touching the Line of Head—The subject will exert in the matters of love or friendship more influence on the other person than the said person will exert on him. 1952 J. Malcolm Frith's Pract. Palmistry (rev. ed.) xviii. 112 The Quadrangle should be regular and wide in the centre, and it should expand at both ends. This indicates good health, honesty and trustworthiness. 1971 Cheiro Bk. of Fate & Fortune xli. 122 When the quadrangle is abnormally wide in its entire length, it denotes want of order in the brain, carelessness of thought and ideas, an unconventional nature, and one imprudent in every way. |
2. A square or rectangular space or court, the sides of which are entirely or mainly occupied by parts of a large building, as a college, palace, etc. (See also quad n.1, and cf. quadrant n.2)
| 1593 Shakes. 2 Hen. VI, i. iii. 156 My choller being ouer⁓blowne, With walking once about the Quadrangle. 1642 Caval. Adv. Majesty 7 Our men..went in at the back Gate opposite to Oriall Colledge, and through Canterbury quadrangle. 1764 Harmer Observ. xi. iii. 103 These quadrangles or courts are paved..with marble. 1828 Scott F.M. Perth x, A lofty vaulted entrance led through this eastern front into the quadrangle. 1877 W. Thomson Voy. Challenger I. ii. 112 We passed through an archway into a large quadrangle. |
3. a. A rectangular building or block of buildings; a building containing a quadrangle.
| 1620 T. Peyton Paradise in Farr. S.P. Jas. I (1848) 179 Like a quadrangle seated on a hill With twelue braue gates. 1645 Evelyn Mem. (1857) I. 217 They [the Schools] are fairly built in quadrangle, with cloisters beneath. 1712 Amherst Terræ Fil. No. 5 (1754) 24, I would not have them set their minds too much upon new quadrangles, and empty libraries, and spacious halls. 1846 McCulloch Acc. Brit. Empire (1854) II. 383 The buildings of Trinity College [Dublin]..consist of three quadrangles. 1870 F. R. Wilson Ch. Lindisf. 64 Beadwell [has] an additional quadrangle of houses. |
b. A square block (in quot., an iceberg).
| 1853 Kane Grinnell Exp. xlix. (1856) 461 A second quadrangle stood out from the shore at the same rate. |
4. Comb., (? of the adj.) as quadrangle-wise adv.
| 1582 N.T. (Rhem.) Rev. xxi. 16 The citie is situated quadrangle-wise. a 1604 Hanmer Chron. Ireland (1633) 189 The walles foure square, or quadrangle wise. |
▪ II. † quadrangle, a. Obs.
[ad. L. quadrangulus four-cornered: see prec. and cf. obs. F. quadrangle (Godef.).]
a. = quadrangular. b. Astron. = quadrate a. 2.
| 1562 W. Bullein Bk. Simples 47 b, The garden Madder, with quadrangle stalks. 1575 T. Rogers Sec. Coming Christ 39/2 The Greeke letter χ rather betokeneth the quadrangle figure. 1601 Holland Pliny I. 13 In the quadrangle aspect of the Sun she [the Moon] appeareth diuided in halfe: in the triangle she is well neere inuironed. |