quad

¹

[kwod]

noun

Informal.

1. a quadrangle as on a college campus.

   The downpour started before we were halfway across the quad.

quad

²

[kwod]

noun

1. 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)

quadded, quadding 

1. 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.

quad

³

[kwod]

noun

Informal.

1. a quadruplet.

   Can you believe how tiny those quads are?

quad

⁴

[kwod]

adjective

1. quadraphonic.

   I remember when my quad turntable was the hottest new thing in record players.

noun

1. quadraphonic sound, or an electronic system for reproducing it.

   The recording sounded best in quad.

quad

⁵

[kwod]

adjective

1. designating or comprising four persons or things.

   rates for quad occupancy; a quad-level house.

noun

1. Informal.,  quadruple occupancy.

   Rates are based on quad.

quad

⁶

[kwod]

noun

Informal.

1. quadriplegic.

   a special ward for quads.

quad

⁷

noun

Informal.

1. quadricep.

   Flex the right quad and push your weight toward the right heel.

quad

⁸

noun

Informal.

1. quadcopter.

   These affordable quads are a boon to both amateur and professional photographers.

quad.

⁹

abbreviation

1. quadrangle.

2. quadrant.

quad

¹

/ kwɒd /

adjective

1. short for quadraphonic or quadraphonics See quadraphonic

noun

1. anatomy short for quadriceps

quad.

²

abbreviation

1. quadrangle

2. quadrilateral

quad

³

/ kwɒd /

noun

1. short for quadrangle

quad

⁴

/ kwɒd /

noun

1. printing a block of type metal used for spacing

quad

⁵

/ kwɒd /

noun

1. a variant spelling of quod

quad

⁶

/ kwɒd /

noun

1. short for quadruplet

Other Word Forms

• unquadded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of quad¹

First recorded in 1810–20; by shortening

Origin of quad²

First recorded in 1875–80; shortening of quadrat

Origin of quad³

First recorded in 1895–1900; by shortening

Origin of quad⁴

First recorded in 1970–75; by shortening

Origin of quad⁵

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

Origin of quad⁶

First recorded in 1970–75; by shortening

Origin of quad⁷

First recorded in 1955–60; by shortening

Origin of quad⁸

First recorded in 2010–15; by shortening

Example Sentences

Two quad bikes are pictured parked among trees.

From BBC

There was a string of sightings around Kawhia between August and November 2023, including multiple alleged robberies, as well as at a hardware store and on quad bikes.

From BBC

Officers were responding to a reported robbery at a commercial property in Piopio, a small town in northern New Zealand, when Phillips and one of his children were spotted riding a quad bike.

From BBC

San Diego Padres pitcher Jason Adam is out for the season after he ruptured a quad tendon Monday when planting his left foot while trying to field a comebacker.

From Los Angeles Times

The night-time footage shows two people in full-body clothing - who police are "confident" is Tom Phillips and one of his children - apparently breaking into a store before driving away on a quad bike.

From BBC