square off
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square
(skwâr)n.
1. A polygon having four equal sides and four equal angles.
2. Something having an equal-sided rectangular form: a square of cloth.
3. A T-shaped or L-shaped instrument for drawing or testing right angles.
4. Mathematics The product obtained when a number or quantity is multiplied by itself: 49 is the square of 7.
5. Games Any of the quadrilateral spaces on a board, as in chess.
6.
a. Abbr. Sq. An open, usually four-sided area at the intersection of two or more streets, often planted with grass and trees for use as a park.
b. A rectangular space enclosed by streets and occupied by buildings; a block.
7. The flower bud of a cotton plant, with three bracts surrounding the unopened flower in a pyramidal structure.
8. Slang A person who is regarded as dull, rigidly conventional, and out of touch with current trends.
adj. squar·er, squar·est
1. Having four equal sides and four right angles.
2. Forming a right angle.
3. In alignment or flush: Put the paper square with the edge of the desk.
4.
a. Abbr. sq. Expressed in units measuring area: square feet.
b. Having a specified length in each of two equal dimensions: a room that is 12 feet square.
5. Having a base that is a square: a square pyramid.
6. Nautical Set at right angles to the mast and keel. Used of the yards of a square-rigged ship.
7. Approximately rectangular and equilateral in cross section: a square house.
8. Characterized by blocklike solidity or sturdiness.
9. Honest; direct: a square answer.
10. Just; equitable: a square deal.
11. Having all accounts settled; even: I paid what I owed you, so we're square.
12. Sports Even; tied.
13. Slang Rigidly conventional; dull.
v. squared, squar·ing, squares
v.tr.
1. To cut to a square or rectangular shape. Often used with off.
2. To test or adjust for conformity to a desired plane, straight line, or right angle.
3. To mark into squares. Often used with off.
4.
a. To bring into conformity or agreement: She could not square the request with her principles.
b. To bring (oneself) into a better position or relation: He tried to square himself with his parents.
5. To set straight or at approximate right angles: square one's cap.
6. To bring into balance; settle: square a debt.
7. Sports To even the score of: to square a game.
8. Mathematics
a. To raise (a number or quantity) to the second power.
b. To find a square equal in area to (the area of a given figure).
9. Informal To bribe or fix: a party in litigation that tried to square the judge.
v.intr.
1. Mathematics To be at right angles.
2. To agree or conform: a story that doesn't square with the facts.
adv.
Phrasal Verbs: 1. Mathematics At right angles.
2. In a square shape.
3. In a solid manner; firmly.
4. Directly; straight: ran square into each other.
5. In an honest, straightforward manner.
square away
1. Nautical To square the yards of a sailing vessel.
2. To put away or in order.
square off
To assume a fighting stance; prepare to fight.
square up
Idioms: To settle a bill or debt.
on the square
1. Mathematics At right angles.
2. Honestly and openly: has always dealt on the square.
out of square
1. Mathematics Not at exact right angles.
2. Not in agreement.
square peg in a round hole Informal
A misfit.
three squares a day Informal
Three square meals eaten in a day.
[Middle English, from Old French esquarre, from Vulgar Latin *exquadra, from *exquadrāre, to square : Latin ex-, ex- + quadrāre, to give a square shape to (from quadrum, a square; see kwetwer- in Indo-European roots).]
square′ness n.
squar′er n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
square off
vb
(intr, adverb) to assume a posture of offence or defence, as in boxing
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Verb | 1. | square off - settle conclusively; come to terms; "We finally settled the argument" concert - settle by agreement; "concert one's differences" clinch - settle conclusively; "clinch a deal" compromise - settle by concession |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations
w>square off
vt sep
(= make square) corner → rechtwinklig machen
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007