Obs. [App. an alteration of QUADRAT or QUADRATE sb.1, through assoc. with prec. See also QUADRAN sb.]
1. = QUADRANGLE sb. 2, 3.
1443. in Willis & Clark, Cambridge (1886), I. 389. Werkemen and labor’ dryving the berne in to the quadrant of the College.
1537. in W. H. Turner, Select. Rec. Oxford, 143. The abbot send for me,… he beyng under the ellme in the quadrant.
1582. Stanyhurst, Æneis, IV. (Arb.), 118. Dido affrighted … Too the inner quadrant runneth.
1631. Weever, Anc. Fun. Mon., 412. A faire large Chappell on the East side of the Quadrant.
1655. Fuller, Hist. Camb., v. § 29. The present quadrant of the Schools.
2. A square; a square thing or piece (also fig.): a square picture.
1474. Caxton, Chesse, 140. The kyng … is sette in the iiij quadrante or poynt of theschequer.
1563–87. Foxe, A. & M. (1596), 587. Since the time they did receiue the catholicke faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, as a most perfect quadrant.
1601. Holland, Pliny, II. 440. The quadrants or square cantons of the old Tuny fish, burnt to a cole … are thought to be good for the tooth-ach.
1651. Life Father Sarpi (1676), 22. A portable quadrant of Christ in the Garden.
b. One side of a square. (Cf. QUADRATURE 2.)
1577–87. Holinshed, Chron., III. 856/2. A palace, the which was quadrant, and euerie quadrant of the same palace was three hundred and twentie eight foot long.
Quadrant, sb.3: see QUADRATE sb.3
