quadratic

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

quadratic
    adj 1: of or relating to or resembling a square; "quadratic
           shapes"
    2: of or relating to the second power; "quadratic equation"
    n 1: an equation in which the highest power of an unknown
         quantity is a square [syn: {quadratic equation},
         {quadratic}]
    2: a polynomial of the second degree [syn: {quadratic},
       {quadratic polynomial}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Quadratic \Quad*rat"ic\, a. [Cf. F. quadratique.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. Of or pertaining to a square, or to squares; resembling a
      quadrate, or square; square.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Crystallog.) Tetragonal.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Alg.) Pertaining to terms of the second degree; as, a
      quadratic equation, in which the highest power of the
      unknown quantity is a square.
      [1913 Webster]