square off

square  (skwâr)

n.

1. A plane figure having four equal sides.

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. Slang A person who is regarded as dull, rigidly conventional, and out of touch with current trends.

8. Slang A square meal. Often used in the plural: three squares a day.

adj. squar·er, squar·est

1. Having four equal sides and four right angles.

2. Forming a right angle.

3.

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.

4. Having a base that is a square: a square pyramid.

5. Nautical Set at right angles to the mast and keel. Used of the yards of a square-rigged ship.

6. Approximately rectangular and equilateral in cross section: a square house.

7. Characterized by blocklike solidity or sturdiness.

8. Honest; direct: a square answer.

9. Just; equitable: a square deal.

10. Having all accounts settled; even.

11. Sports Even; tied.

12. Slang Rigidly conventional; dull.

v. squared, squar·ing, squares

v.tr.

1. To cut to a square or rectangular shape.

2. To test 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.

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.

Phrasal Verbs:

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

To settle a bill or debt.

Idioms:

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.

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[Middle English, from Old French esquarre, from Vulgar Latin *exquadra, from *exquadrre, to square : Latin ex-, ex- + quadrre, to give a square shape to (from quadrum, a square; see k^wetwer- in Indo-European roots).]

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squareness n.

squarer n.

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square off

Verb

to stand up as if ready to start boxing or fighting

Thesaurus

Verb

1.

square off - settle conclusively; come to terms; "We finally settled the argument" settle, square up, determine solve, clear - settle, as of a debt; "clear a debt"; "solve an old debt" concert - settle by agreement; "concert one's differences" clinch - settle conclusively; "clinch a deal" resolve, conclude - reach a conclusion after a discussion or deliberation compromise - settle by concession