a. [ L. quadratus squared, p. p. of quadrare to make four-cornered, to make square, to square, to fit, suit, from quadrus square, quattuor four. See Quadrant, and cf. Quadrat, Quarry an arrow, Square. ] 1. Having four equal sides, the opposite sides parallel, and four right angles; square. [ 1913 Webster ] Figures, some round, some triangle, some quadrate. Foxe. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Produced by multiplying a number by itself; square. “ Quadrate and cubical numbers.” Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Square; even; balanced; equal; exact. [ Archaic ] “ A quadrate, solid, wise man.” Howell. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Squared; suited; correspondent. [ Archaic ] “ A generical description quadrate to both.” Harvey. [ 1913 Webster ] Quadrate bone (Anat.), a bone between the base of the lower jaw and the skull in most vertebrates below the mammals. In reptiles and birds it articulates the lower jaw with the skull; in mammals it is represented by the malleus or incus. [ 1913 Webster ]
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