square the circle Definition

square
noun

1. A two-dimensional figure with four sides of equal length and four right angles.
2. Anything shaped like this.
3. An open space in a town, usually roughly square in shape, and the buildings that surround it.
4. An L-shaped or T-shaped instrument which is used for measuring angles, drawing straight lines, etc.
5. The number that is formed when a number is multiplied by itself, eg the square of 2 (usually written 22) is 4.
6. colloq
Someone who has traditional or old-fashioned values, tastes, ideas, etc.

adj

1. Shaped like a square or, sometimes, like a cube.

Example: a square table
Example: a square box
2. Used with a defining measurement to denote the area of something.

Example: The area of a rectangle whose sides are 2 feet by 3 feet would be 6 square feet
3. Angular; less rounded than normal.

Example: a square jaw
4. Measuring almost the same in breadth as in length or height.
5. Fair; honest.

Example: a square deal
Thesaurus: honest, straightforward, aboveboard, on the level, fair, ethical, disinterested, reliable, upright, unequivocal.
6. Complete; outright.

Example: a square denial
7. Set at right angles.
8. Said of a pass in football, hockey, etc: driven across the pitch as opposed to ahead towards the goal.
9. Said of a line of defence in football, hockey, etc: having all the players in a line across the pitch, usually a sign of poor tactical play.
10. cricket.
Positioned at right angles to the wicket.
Example: played at square leg
11. colloq, old use
Having traditional or old-fashioned values, tastes, ideas, etc.
Thesaurus: strait-laced, conservative, stuffy, dated, old-fashioned, conventional, bourgeois, orthodox, out of touch.

verb squared, squaring

1. To make square in shape, especially to make right-angled.
2. To multiply (a number) by itself.
3. To pay off or settle (a debt).
4. To make the scores level in (a match).
5. To mark with a pattern of squares.
6. In football, hockey, etc: to drive (the ball, a pass, etc) across the pitch.

adverb

1. Solidly and directly.

Example: hit me square on the jaw
2. Fairly; honestly.
3. Said of the defence of a football, hockey, etc team: in a square position.

Example: The pass caught Rangers' defence square

Derivative: squarely
adverb

Derivative: squareness
noun

Derivative: squarer
noun

Derivative: squarish
adj

Idiom: all square

Equal.

Not in debt; with each side owing nothing.

Idiom: back to square one

colloq
Returned to the situation as it was before, with no progress having been made.

Idiom: square the circle

To do the impossible.

Etymology: 13c: from French esquarre to square.

Phrasal Verb: square something with someone

To get their approval or permission for it.

Phrasal Verb: square up

To settle a bill, etc.

Phrasal Verb: square up to someone

To prepare to fight them.

Phrasal Verb: square up to something

To prepare to tackle it, especially in a brave way.

Phrasal Verb: square with something

To agree or correspond with it.