Quăd′rat, n.

n. [Fr. quadrat. See infra.]

1. (Print.) A piece of type-metal cast lower than types, so as to leave a blank space on the paper, when printed, where they are placed. They are used to fill out lines, to form white lines, to justify letters, figures, and the like. Savage.
2. A mathematical instrument, chiefly used in taking heights or depths; — called also geometrical square, and line of shadows. Hutton.