Where does “quadrature” come from?

Quadrature derives from Latin quadratura, from quadro meaning to square, from quattuor meaning four, ultimately from an Indo-European root also underlying caput meaning head.

quadrature (English): The process of making something square; squaring;...

Definitions

  1. The process of making something square; squaring;...

Ancestry of “quadrature”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinquadraturaa squaring, making square, quadrature; a square
2Latinquadrōto make four-cornered, square, make square
3Latinquādrussquare
4Latinquattŭorfour; 4
5Portuguesequartoordinal form of quatro; fourth; quarter; fourth;...
6Old Portuguesequartoquarter
7Latinquārtusfourth
8Proto-Indo-Europeankʷeturtos
9Proto-Indo-Europeankʷetwóresfour
10Proto-Indo-Europeankʷe-and
Every word from Proto-Indo-European kʷe-Every word from Proto-Indo-European kʷetwóresEvery word from Proto-Indo-European kʷeturtos
quadrature — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer