quadra

¹

[ kwod-ruh ]

noun

, Architecture.

, plural quad·rae [kwod, -ree].

1. a small molding, as a fillet.

quadra-

²

1. variant of quadri-:

   quadraphony.

Word History and Origins

Origin of quadra¹

1655–65; < Latin: fillet, side of a square, quadrant section

Example Sentences

Don Quadra then suggested that letters be sent to Spain and England for more specific instructions.

From Project Gutenberg

Before reaching the northern extremity of this long arm of the sea, he met two small Spanish vessels under the command of Quadra.

From Project Gutenberg

That if your motive prove to be such as de Quadra and others allege, they will be in danger of believing.

From Project Gutenberg

It is purely an Alaskan tree, and even north of Quadra Inlet it is found in its densest growth.

From Project Gutenberg

Having got everything ready for Sea, on the 18th we sail'd out of Port Quadra.

From Project Gutenberg

Words That Use Quadra-

What does quadra- mean?

Quadra- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “four.” It is used in some technical and everyday terms.

Quadra- comes from the Latin quattuor, meaning “four.” The Greek equivalent is tetra-, which also appears as tetr-, as in tetrahedron. Want to know more? Check out our Words That Use entries for tetr- and tetra-.

What are variants of quadra-?

Quadra- is a rare variant of quadri-, as in quadripole.

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, quadra- becomes quadr-, as in quadric.

Before some labial consonants (such as –p– or –f-), quadra- becomes quadru-, as in quadruplex, which uses the Latin equivalent of the form.

Want to learn more? Check out our Words That Use entries for quadr-, quadri-, and quadru-.

Examples of quadra-

One example of a technical term that features the combining form quadra- is quadraphony, “high-fidelity sound reproduction involving signals transmitted through four different channels.”

The first portion of the word, quadra-, means “four,” while -phony means “indicating a specified type of sound,” from Greek -phōnia. Quadraphony literally translates to “four sounds.”

What are some words that use the combining form quadra- (or its Latin equivalent)?

• quadragenarian
• quadragene
• quadragesima
• quadragesimal
• quadraphonic
• quadrasonic

What are some other forms that quadra- may be commonly confused with?

• quasi-
• quinque-

Break it down!

Stereophonic is a system of sound recording or reproduction that uses two channels. With the meaning of quadra- in mind, how many channels does quadraphonic recording use?