square

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

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.

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