foursquare

I

noun

(geometry) a plane rectangle with four equal sides and four right angles; a four-sided regular polygon

-

you can compute the area of a square if you know the length of its sides

• Syn: ↑square

• Derivationally related forms: ↑square (for: ↑square)

• Topics: ↑geometry

• Hypernyms: ↑rectangle, ↑regular polygon

• Hyponyms: ↑quadrate

II

adjective

characterized by firm and unwavering conviction

-

a foursquare refusal to yield

• Similar to: ↑resolute

III

adverb

1. in a square position

-

the building stood foursquare

2. with firmness and conviction; without compromise

-

"he stood foursquare for religious liberty and toleration"- C.G.Bowers

-

dealt straightforwardly with all issues

• Syn: ↑squarely, ↑straightforwardly

• Derived from adjective: ↑straightforward (for: ↑straightforwardly)

* * *

I. \\ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷\ adjective

Etymology: Middle English foursquare, fouresquare, from four, foure four + square

1.

a. : having four equal sides and four right angles : square

a large foursquare Victorian mansion — Osbert Lancaster

b. : arranged in a square

a stockyard where thatched cowhouses … cart sheds and a great old barn … huddle foursquare — J.W.Day

2. : characterized by boldness and conviction : sound and unswerving : forthright

they are … foursquare and simple and staunch — H.S.Commager

3. usually capitalized : of or relating to a fundamentalist religious cult or sectarian movement originating in southern California after World War I

Foursquare churches

the Foursquare technique

a Foursquare choir

II. \\ˈ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷\ adverb

1. : in a square position : solidly

their monuments stand foursquare — J.E.M.White

2. : in an unequivocal manner : forthrightly

he stood foursquare for religious liberty and toleration — C.G.Bowers

III. \\ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\ noun

archaic : a figure with four equal sides and four right angles

of a shape between a circle and a foursquare — William Upton

* * *

—foursquarely, adv. —foursquareness, n.

/fawr"skwair", fohr"-/, adj.

1. consisting of four corners and four right angles; square: a solid, foursquare building.

2. firm; steady; unswerving: He maintained a foursquare position in the controversy.

3. forthright; frank; blunt: a foursquare presentation of the company's financial condition.

adv.

4. without equivocation; frankly; forthrightly.

n.

5. a square.

[1250-1300; ME fouresquare. See FOUR, SQUARE]