Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SQUARE, n.

1. A figure having four equal sides and four right angles.
2. An area of four sides, with houses on each side. The statue of Alexander VII. stands in the large square of the town. – Addison.
3. The content of the side of a figure squared.
4. A mathematical instrument, which consists essentially in having at least one straight edge at right angles to another. It is of several forms, as the T square, the carpenter's square, &c.
5. In geometry and arithmetic, a square or square number is the product of a number multiplied by itself. Thus 64 is the square of 8, for 8 x 8 = 64.
6. Rule; regularity; exact proportion; justness of workmanship and conduct. They of Galatia much more out of square. – Hooker. I have not kept my square. [Not in use.] – Shak.
7. A square body of troops; a squadron; as, the braver squares of war. [Not in use.] – Shak.
8. A quaternion; four. [Not is use.] – Shak.
9. Level; equality. We live not on the square with such as these. – Dryden.
10. In astrology, quartile; the position of planets distant ninety degrees from each other. [Obs.] – Milton.
11. Rule; conformity; accord. I shall break no squares with another for a trifle. Squares go. Let us see how the squares go, that is, how the game proceeds; a phrase taken from the game of chess, the chess board being formed with squares. – L'Estrange.