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Webster 1913 Edition


Quadrature

Quad′ra-ture

,
Noun.
[L.
quadratura
: cf. F.
quadrature
. See
Quadrate
,
Adj.
]
1.
(Math.)
The act of squaring; the finding of a square having the same area as some given curvilinear figure;
as, the
quadrature
of a circle
; the operation of finding an expression for the area of a figure bounded wholly or in part by a curved line, as by a curve, two ordinates, and the axis of abscissas.
2.
A quadrate; a square.
Milton.
3.
(Integral Calculus)
The integral used in obtaining the area bounded by a curve; hence, the definite integral of the product of any function of one variable into the differential of that variable.
4.
(Astron.)
The position of one heavenly body in respect to another when distant from it 90°, or a quarter of a circle, as the moon when at an equal distance from the points of conjunction and opposition.
Quadrature of the moon
(Astron.)
,
the position of the moon when one half of the disk is illuminated.
Quadrature of an orbit
(Astron.)
,
a point in an orbit which is at either extremity of the latus rectum drawn through the empty focus of the orbit.

Webster 1828 Edition


Quadrature

QUAD'RATURE

,
Noun.
[L. quadratura.]
1.
The act of squaring; the reducing of a figure to a square. Thus the finding of a square which shall contain just as much area as a circle or a triangle, is the quadrature of that circle or triangle.
2.
A quadrate; a square.
3.
In astronomy, the aspect of the moon when distant from the sun 90 degrees or a quarter of the circle; or when the moon is at an equal distance from the points of conjunction and opposition.
Quadrature of curves, in mathematics, the finding of rectilineal figures containing the same areas as figures bounded by curved lines.

Definition 2024


quadrature

quadrature

English

Noun

quadrature (plural quadratures)

  1. The process of making something square; squaring.
  2. (mathematics) The act or process of constructing a square that has the same area as a given plane figure, or of computing that area.
  3. The act or process of finding the indefinite integral.
  4. (astronomy) a situation in which three celestial bodies form a right-angled triangle, the observer being located at the right angle
    When the Moon is in quadrature, it appears in the sky as a half-moon.
  5. (physics) the condition in which the phase angle between two alternating quantities is 90°.
  6. (art) A painting painted on a wooden panel.

Derived terms

  • quadratural

Translations


French

Noun

quadrature f (plural quadratures)

  1. quadrature

Italian

Noun

quadrature f

  1. plural of quadratura

Latin

Participle

quadrātūre

  1. vocative masculine singular of quadrātūrus