Definition of: square

(skwâr) noun
1. A parallelogram having four equal sides and four right angles.
2. Any object, part, or surface that is square or nearly so, as a pane of glass, or one of the spots on a checkerboard.
3. An instrument by which to measure or lay out right angles, consisting usually of two legs or branches at right angles to each other, in L–shape or T–shape (in the latter case called a T–square).
4. An open area in a city or village, left between streets at their intersection or formed by their expansion.
5. A town or city block; also, the distance between one street and the next.
6. Math. The product of a number or quantity multiplied by itself.
7. Formerly, a body of troops formed in a four–sided array.
8. Obs. A standard or pattern; rule.
9. Slang A person not conversant with developments in the popular arts, especially the latest fashions in jazz, slang, etc.
—on the square
1. At right angles.
2. On equal terms.
3. Colloq. In a fair and honest manner.
4. In Freemasonry, in good standing: said of members.
—out of square
1. Not at right angles; obliquely.
2. Incorrectly; askew; out of order.
—adjective
1. Having four equal sides and four right angles; loosely, approaching a square in form.
2. Formed with or characterized by a right angle; rectangular.
3. Adapted to forming squares or computing in squares: a square measure.
4. Direct; fair; just; equitable; honest.
5. Having debit and credit balanced; even; settled.
6. Absolute; complete; unequivocal.
7. Having a broad, stocky frame; hence, strong, sturdy.
8. Colloq. Solid; full; satisfying: a square meal.
9. Naut. At right angles to the mast and keel: said of the yards of a square–rigged ship.
10. Math. Raised to the second power; squared: 10 square equals 100.
11. Steady: said of a horse's gait.
12. Mech. Having the cylinder bore equal, or nearly equal to the piston stroke: said of engines. See synonyms under JUST¹.
—v. squared, squar·ing v.t.
1. To make square; form with four equal sides and four right angles.
2. To shape or adjust so as to form a right angle, or a right angle with something else.
3. To mark with or divide into squares.
4. To test for the purpose of adjusting to a straight line, right angle, or plane surface.
5. To bring to a position suggestive of a right angle: Square your shoulders.
6. To make satisfactory settlement or adjustment of: to square accounts.
7. To make (the score of a game or contest) equal.
8. To cause to conform; adapt; reconcile: to square one's opinions to the times.
9. Math. a To multiply (a number or quantity) by itself. b To determine the contents of in square measure. c To find the square equivalent of: to square a circle.
10. Slang To bribe: to square a jockey.
—v.i.
11. To be at right angles.
12. To conform; agree; harmonize.
13. In golf, to make the scores equal.
14. Obs. To squabble; quarrel.
—to square away
1. Naut. To set (the yards) at right angles to the keel.
2. To square up.
—to square off To assume a position for attack or defense; prepare to fight.
—to square up To adjust satisfactorily.
—adverb
1. So as to be square, or at right angles.
2. Honestly; fairly.
3. Directly; firmly. [<OF esquire, esquarre, ult. <L quattuor four]
—square·ness noun
SQUARES
a. T-square.
b. Steel square.
c. Try square.