Printer's block of type

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"a blank, low-cast type used by typographers to fill in larger spaces in printed lines," 1680s, from French quadrat "a quadrat," literally "a square," from Latin quadratrus , past participle of quadrare "to square, make square" (see quadrant ). Earlier ...

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
A quadrat is a plot used in ecology and geography to isolate a standard unit of area for study of the distribution of an item over a large area. While originally rectangular, modern quadrats can be rectangular, circular, irregular, etc.,. The quadrat is ...

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
Etymology 1 n. (context sciences English) An area of land, marked for studying its plants, animals, soil, natural processes, etc. While originally rectangular, modern quadrats can be rectangular, circular, irregular, etc. (e.g.: Krebs, C.J., 1999. Ecological ...

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Quadrat \Quad"rat\, n. [F. quadrat, cadrat. See Quadrate .] (Print.) A block of type metal lower than the letters, -- used in spacing and in blank lines. [Abbrev. quad.] An old instrument used for taking altitudes; -- called also geometrical square , and ...