[a. F. quadrangle (13th c.), ad. late L. quadrangulum, neut. of quadrangulus (see next), f. quadr- QUADRI- + angulus ANGLE. The stressing quadra·ngle, which appears in some of the quots., is given by Bailey, Ash, and Sheridan, and is still the constant Sc. use.]
1. 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. trans. 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.
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 sb.1, and cf. QUADRANT sb.2)
1593. Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., I. iii. 156. My choller being ouerblowne, 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 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 Filius, No. 5 (1754), 24. I would not have them set their minds too much upon new quadrangles, and empty libraries, and spacious halls.
1846. M’Culloch, 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.
