quadrangle

[ kwod-rang-guhl ]

noun

1. a plane figure having four angles and four sides, as a square.
2. a square or quadrangular space or court that is surrounded by a building or buildings, as on a college campus.
3. the building or buildings around such a space or court.
4. the area shown on one of the standard topographic map sheets published by the U.S. Geological Survey: approximately 17 miles (27 km) north to south and from 11 to 15 miles (17 to 24 km) east to west.

quadrangle

/ kwɒˈdræŋɡjʊlə; ˈkwɒdˌræŋɡəl /

noun

1. geometry a plane figure consisting of four points connected by four lines. In a complete quadrangle , six lines connect all pairs of points
2. a rectangular courtyard, esp one having buildings on all four sides Often shortened toquad
3. the building surrounding such a courtyard

Derived Forms

• quadrangular, adjective

Other Words From

• quadrangled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of quadrangle¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin quadrangulum, noun use of neuter of Latin quadrangulus, quadriangulus four-cornered. See quadr-, angle ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of quadrangle¹

C15: from Late Latin quadrangulum figure having four corners

Example Sentences

Zimbardo’s “Introduction to Psychology” class was so popular that lines of students trying to get admitted often formed outside offices and ran into the university quadrangles.

From Los Angeles Times

And, along those same lines, it might be permissible to say you can’t demonstrate loudly in a college library even though you can rally in the campus quadrangle.

From Seattle Times

"He had net curtains over his window and it overlooked the quadrangle so it was very very private," Will said.

From BBC

Instead, protests are limited to “courtyards, quadrangles and other such spaces” and cannot block students from walking to class.

From New York Times

The saga is set in an alternative version of Oxford — ancient colleges, misty quadrangles, enticing libraries -– that blends the retro, the futuristic and the fantastical.

From Seattle Times