quad

Meaning

Adj

1. Quadruple, four times the usual size or quantity.
2. Quadrille, marked with squares.

Noun

1. (obsolete) Abbreviation of quadrat.
2. (obsolete,slang) Abbreviation of quadrat.
3. (obsolete) Abbreviation of quadrat.
4. (informal) A quadrangle (quadrangular courtyard).
5. (colloquial) A horse, from colloquial or humorous quadruped specifically for horse.
6. Something that is quadruple (four times) the usual amount, number, etc.
7. Something that is quadruple (four times) the usual amount, number, etc.
8. Something that is quadruple (four times) the usual amount, number, etc.
9. Something that is quadruple (four times) the usual amount, number, etc.
10. Clipping of quadruplet (“a set of four; one of a set of four”).
11. Clipping of quadruplet (“a set of four; one of a set of four”).
12. (informal) Clipping of quadruplet (“a set of four; one of a set of four”).
13. Clipping of quadruplet (“a set of four; one of a set of four”).
14. Clipping of quadruplet (“a set of four; one of a set of four”).
15. (slang) Clipping of quadruplet (“a set of four; one of a set of four”).
16. Clipping of quadruplet (“a set of four; one of a set of four”).
17. (informal) The quadriceps muscle.
18. (informal) Quadruplex videotape.
19. (informal) A quadriplegic person.
20. A unit of energy equivalent to a quadrillion BTU (10¹⁵ BTU).
21. A quad bike.
22. (informal) A quadrilateral.
23. (informal) A quadcopter.
24. (informal) A quadrupel beer.

Verb

1. To fill spaces in a line of type with quads. Also quad out.
2. To align text with the left or right margin, or centre it.
3. To twist four individually insulated conductors together as two pairs of twisted wires that are then twisted together.
4. To ride a quad bike.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/kwɑd/

Etymology

Shortened, via clipping or abbreviation, from various English terms. Ultimately related to Latin quattuor (“4”); compare quadri-, quadruple.
The typography senses are from the abbreviation quad. for obsolete quadrat; the keyboard command comes from the verb sense.