quadra

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈkʷa.dra]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈkʷaː.dra]^[1]

Forms

quadra f (genitive quadrae); first declension^[1]

Etymology

It is the feminine of quadrus “square”, from quattuor “four”, and the OLD compares triquetrus.^[1][2] De Vaan traces ⟨quattuor⟩ to Proto-Indo-European *kʷetwṓr (“four”), with ⟨quat-⟩ from zero-grade forms such as ⟨*kʷtru-⟩, cognate with Oscan ⟨pettiur⟩ “four”.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is Virgil, of a quarter of a round loaf.^[2] Köbler dates Virgil 70–19 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant a quarter section of a round cake or loaf, a slice, as in Virgil; a square, as in Quintilian's in quadram “in a square”; in Vitruvius the side of a square, a face, the plinth of a column, and a raised flat band, fillet.^[2][5]

Medieval Latin used it for a rectangular sheet of parchment and a castle district.^[6] British Medieval Latin used it for a quadrant section of bread or cheese.^[7] It survives as Italian quadra and Spanish cuadra.^[1]

Timeline

• 70–19 BC – Virgil uses it of a slice of loaf.^[2][4]
• c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius uses it in architecture.^[2][4]
• c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian uses it of a square.^[5][4]

Meanings

Noun

1. A quarter (of a round loaf), a slice.^[2][7]
2. A square.^[5][8]
3. The side of a square; a plinth.^[2][5]
4. (architecture) A fillet.^[2]

Word family

• quadrula

Related words

• quadrus
• quattuor
• quadrō
• quadrātum

Usage notes

Quadra was also a Roman surname.^[8][5]

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b c d e Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
6. ^ Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
7. ^ a b Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
8. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press