Etymology Map
Back to all words

Square

3 stages from Vulgar Latin to English.

Today it means a shape with four equal sides and right angles

Where does the word "square" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin exquadrare, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
exquadrare
Vulgar Latin · ancient
"to make square"
'ex-' plus 'quadra', square, from 'quattuor', four
2
Stage 2 of 3
esquarre
Old French · medieval
"square"
a carpenter's set square
3
Stage 3 of 3
square
English · 1200s
"a right-angled shape"
'square' for dull and conventional is 1940s jazz slang
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Square’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: exquadrare meant “to make square.” 'ex-' plus 'quadra', square, from 'quattuor', four. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as esquarre. A carpenter's set square. It reached English by 1200s as square. 'square' for dull and conventional is 1940s jazz slang. Today, square means a shape with four equal sides and right angles.