Obs. exc. Naut. [f. EIGHT + SQUARE, after the logically correct four-square; cf. three-square.] Having eight equal sides; in the form of a regular octagon, octagonal.
1538. Leland, Itin., II. 53. The work is 8-square.
1598. Hakluyt, Voy., II. I. 104. It was eight square and very thicke.
1680. Lond. Gaz., No. 1499/4. A small eight-square Watch. Ibid. (1710), No. 4748/4. Two Silver polished Candlesticks eight square.
c. 1860. H. Stuart, Seaman’s Catech., 75. All yards are made eight-square in the centre.
quasi-adv. 1679. Plot, Staffordsh. (1686), 369. The tower of the Church of Dilhorn … is somewhat remarkable, it being built eight square.
1682. Wheler, Journ. Greece, V. 395. He built a Tower eight square of Marble.
c. 1850. Rudim. Navig. (Weale), 114. A short beam … trimmed eight-square.
Hence Eight-square sb., an octagonal figure; Eight-square v., to fashion into octagonal shape.
1794. Rigging & Seamanship, I. 21. A straight line is then struck along the middle, and the eight-square lined from it. Ibid., 20. The other ’thwartship side is then canted up and eight-squared.
