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quad

1
[ kwod ]
/ kwÉ’d /
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noun Informal.
a quadrangle as on a college campus: The downpour started before we were halfway across the quad.
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Origin of quad

1
First recorded in 1810–20; by shortening

Other definitions for quad (2 of 9)

quad2
[ kwod ]
/ kwÉ’d /
Printing.

noun
Also called quadrat. a piece of type metal of less height than the lettered types, serving to cause a blank in printed matter, used for spacing: a wooden box of assorted quads.
verb (used with object), quad·ded, quad·ding.
to space out (matter) by means of quads: You'll need to quad this column tightly—the editor's letter is running a little long.

Origin of quad

2
First recorded in 1875–80; shortening of quadrat

OTHER WORDS FROM quad

un·quad·ded, adjective

Other definitions for quad (3 of 9)

quad3
[ kwod ]
/ kwÉ’d /

noun Informal.
a quadruplet: Can you believe how tiny those quads are?

Origin of quad

3
First recorded in 1895–1900; by shortening

Other definitions for quad (4 of 9)

quad4
[ kwod ]
/ kwÉ’d /
Informal.

adjective
quadraphonic: I remember when my quad turntable was the hottest new thing in record players.
noun
quadraphonic sound, or an electronic system for reproducing it: The recording sounded best in quad.

Origin of quad

4
First recorded in 1970–75; by shortening

Other definitions for quad (5 of 9)

quad5
[ kwod ]
/ kwÉ’d /

adjective
designating or comprising four persons or things: rates for quad occupancy; a quad-level house.
noun
Informal. quadruple occupancy: Rates are based on quad.

Origin of quad

5
First recorded in 1880–85; shortening of quadruple or words formed with quadri-

Other definitions for quad (6 of 9)

quad6
[ kwod ]
/ kwÉ’d /

noun Informal.
quadriplegic: a special ward for quads.

Origin of quad

6
First recorded in 1970–75; by shortening

Other definitions for quad (7 of 9)

quad7

noun Informal.
quadricep: Flex the right quad and push your weight toward the right heel.

Origin of quad

7
First recorded in 1955–60; by shortening

Other definitions for quad (8 of 9)

quad8

noun Informal.
quadcopter: These affordable quads are a boon to both amateur and professional photographers.

Origin of quad

8
First recorded in 2010–15; by shortening

Other definitions for quad (9 of 9)

quad.

abbreviation
quadrangle.
quadrant.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use quad in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for quad (1 of 6)

quad1
/ (kwÉ’d) /

noun

British Dictionary definitions for quad (2 of 6)

quad2
/ (kwÉ’d) /

noun
printing a block of type metal used for spacing

British Dictionary definitions for quad (3 of 6)

quad3
/ (kwÉ’d) /

noun
a variant spelling of quod

British Dictionary definitions for quad (4 of 6)

quad4
/ (kwÉ’d) /

noun

British Dictionary definitions for quad (5 of 6)

quad5
/ (kwÉ’d) /

adjective, noun
short for quadraphonic or quadraphonicsSee quadraphonic
noun
anatomy short for quadriceps

British Dictionary definitions for quad (6 of 6)

quad.

abbreviation for
quadrangle
quadrilateral
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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