squad

Where does the word "squad" come from? It comes from Latin quadrare, passing through Italian and French before entering English (1640s-1809).

Squad’s story begins in Latin: quadrare meant “to square.” The verb 'to make square', from quadrus 'a square'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Italian as squadra. Named a square infantry formation and, by extension, the unit itself. From there it passed into French as esquade by medieval. Borrowed for a small military unit. It reached English by 1640s-1809 as squad. Entered for a small detail of soldiers, later any small organized group. Today, squad means a small organized group, especially of soldiers, police, or athletes.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient quadrare "to square", the verb 'to make square', from quadrus 'a square'.
2. Stage 2 · Italian · medieval squadra "a square; a battalion", named a square infantry formation and, by extension, the unit itself.
3. Stage 3 · French · medieval esquade "a small military unit", borrowed for a small military unit.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1640s-1809 squad "a small organized group", entered for a small detail of soldiers, later any small organized group.