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quad

/kwɑd/
/kwɒd/
IPA guide

Other forms: quads

A quad is a rectangular shaped area, especially on a university campus, that's enclosed by buildings. Your college friend might tell you to meet her in the quad after lunch.

Quad is an abbreviation, most commonly short for quadrangle, a kind of four-sided courtyard usually defined by a large lawn and surrounded by buildings. Another kind of quad — also an abbreviation — is the large muscle in the top of your thigh, more formally known as a quadriceps muscle. Quadrangle and its nickname, quad, were 1800's Oxford slang, from the Latin root quadri, or "four."

Definitions of quad
  1. noun
    a rectangular area surrounded on all sides by buildings
    synonyms: quadrangle
    see moresee less
    type of:
    area
    a part of a structure having some specific characteristic or function
  2. noun
    (printing) a block of type without a raised letter; used for spacing between words or sentences
    synonyms: space
    see moresee less
    types:
    hair space
    (printing) the narrowest of the spaces used to separate words or letters
    type of:
    type
    a small metal block bearing a raised character on one end; produces a printed character when inked and pressed on paper
  3. noun
    one of four children born at the same time from the same pregnancy
    synonyms: quadruplet
    see moresee less
    type of:
    sib, sibling
    a person's brother or sister
  4. noun
    a muscle of the thigh that extends the leg
    see moresee less
    type of:
    extensor, extensor muscle
    a skeletal muscle whose contraction extends or stretches a body part
Pronunciation
US
/kwɑd/
UK
/kwɒd/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘quad'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of gold-punch.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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