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quadrature

1. (Science: mathematics) 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.

3. (Science: mathematics) 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. (Science: astronomy) The position of one heavenly body in respect to another when distant from it 90 deg, 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, a point in an orbit which is at either extremity of the latus rectum drawn through the empty focus of the orbit.

See: quadrate.

Origin: L. Quadratura: cf. F. Quadrature.