To break squares

Square Square (skw[^a]r), n. [OF. esquarre, esquierre, F. ['e]querre a carpenter's square (cf. It. squadra), fr. (assumed) LL. exquadrare to make square; L. ex + quadrus a square, fr. quattuor four. See {Four}, and cf. {Quadrant}, {Squad}, {Squire} a square.] 1. (Geom.) (a) The corner, or angle, of a figure. [Obs.] (b) A parallelogram having four equal sides and four right angles. [1913 Webster]

2. Hence, anything which is square, or nearly so; as: (a) A square piece or fragment. [1913 Webster]

He bolted his food down his capacious throat in squares of three inches. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster] (b) A pane of glass. (c) (Print.) A certain number of lines, forming a portion of a column, nearly square; -- used chiefly in reckoning the prices of advertisements in newspapers. (d) (Carp.) One hundred superficial feet. [1913 Webster]

3. An area of four sides, generally with houses on each side; sometimes, a solid block of houses; also, an open place or area for public use, as at the meeting or intersection of two or more streets. [1913 Webster]

The statue of Alexander VII. stands in the large square of the town. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

4. (Mech. & Joinery) An instrument having at least one right angle and two or more straight edges, used to lay out or test square work. It is of several forms, as the T square, the carpenter's square, the try-square., etc. [1913 Webster]

5. Hence, a pattern or rule. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

6. (Arith. & Alg.) The product of a number or quantity multiplied by itself; thus, 64 is the square of 8, for 8 [times] 8 = 64; the square of a + b is a^{2} + 2ab + b^{2}. [1913 Webster]

7. Exact proportion; justness of workmanship and conduct; regularity; rule. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

They of Galatia [were] much more out of square. --Hooker. [1913 Webster]

I have not kept my square. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

8. (Mil.) A body of troops formed in a square, esp. one formed to resist a charge of cavalry; a squadron. ``The brave squares of war.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]

9. Fig.: The relation of harmony, or exact agreement; equality; level. [1913 Webster]

We live not on the square with such as these. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

10. (Astrol.) The position of planets distant ninety degrees from each other; a quadrate. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

11. The act of squaring, or quarreling; a quarrel. [R.] [1913 Webster]

12. The front of a woman's dress over the bosom, usually worked or embroidered. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]

{fair and square} in a fair, straightforward, and honest manner; justly; as, he beat me fair and square.

{Geometrical square}. See {Quadrat}, n., 2.

{Hollow square} (Mil.), a formation of troops in the shape of a square, each side consisting of four or five ranks, and the colors, officers, horses, etc., occupying the middle.

{Least square}, {Magic square}, etc. See under {Least}, {Magic}, etc.

{On the square}, or {Upon the square}, (a) in an open, fair manner; honestly, or upon honor; justly. [Obs or Colloq.] (b) at right angles.

{On the square with}, or {Upon the square with}, upon equality with; even with. --Nares.

{To be all squares}, to be all settled. [Colloq.] --Dickens.

{To be at square}, to be in a state of quarreling. [Obs.] --Nares.

{To break no squares}, to give no offense; to make no difference. [Obs.]

{To break squares}, to depart from an accustomed order. [Obs.]

{To see how the squares go}, to see how the game proceeds; -- a phrase taken from the game of chess, the chessboard being formed with squares. [Obs.] --L'Estrange. [1913 Webster]