square away
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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 away
vb (adverb)
1. (Nautical Terms) to set the sails of (a square-rigger) at right angles to the keel
2. (tr) US and Canadian to make neat and tidy
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
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| Verb | 1. | square away - put (things or places) in order; "Tidy up your room!" order - bring order to or into; "Order these files" |
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