Also 8 quadrate. [var. of QUADRATE sb.1, in special senses.]
† 1. An instrument formerly used for measuring altitudes or distances, consisting of a square plate with two graduated sides, sights, etc. Obs.
a. 1400. in Halliwell, Rara Mathematica (1841), 65. When … þou wolde mesure þe heght … make a quadrat … þat es to sey a table even foure square of wode or brasse.
1617. Minsheu, Ductor, A Quadrat, or Geometricall instrument, whereby the distance and height of a place is knowne afarre off by looking thorow a certaine little hole therein,… dioptra.
† b. Two graduated sides of a square, marked in the rectangular corner of a quadrant to facilitate its use. Obs.
a. 1400. in Halliwell, Rara Mathematica (1841), 59. Þe quadrat … whilk es descryvede … in þe quadrant has tuo sides.
1706. Phillips (ed. Kersey), Quadrate and Line of Shadows (on a Quadrant) is a line of natural Tangents.
1727–41. Chambers, Cycl., Quadrat … called also geometrical square, and line of shadows, is an additional member on the face of the common Gunter’s and Sutton’s quadrants.
2. Printing. A small block of metal, lower than the face of the type, used by printers for spacing; abbrev. QUAD sb.2
1683. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., Printing, xxii. ¶ 5. If his Title … make three or more Lines, he Indents the first with an m Quadrat.
1727–41. Chambers, Cycl., s.v., There are quadrats of divers sizes, as m quadrats, n quadrats, &c. which are respectively of the dimensions of such letters.
1824. J. Johnson, Typogr., II. iii. 65. An m-quadrat is the square of the letter to whatever fount it may belong; an n-quadrat is half that size.
1843. Penny Cycl., XXV. 455/1. Larger quadrats, equal in body to two, three, or four m’s.
attrib. and Comb. 1683. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., Printing, viii. Head sticks … are Quadrat high.
1894. Amer. Dict. Printing, s.v., To throw all the pi and broken letter … into the quadrat box.
