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What is "to square one's shoulders"

The Collaborative International Dictionary
To square one's shoulders

Square \Square\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Squared (skw[^a]rd); p. pr. & vb. n. Squaring.] [Cf. OF. escarrer, esquarrer. See Square, n.]

  1. To form with four equal sides and four right angles.
    --Spenser.

  2. To form with right angles and straight lines, or flat surfaces; as, to square masons' work.

  3. To compare with, or reduce to, any given measure or standard.
    --Shak.

  4. To adjust; to regulate; to mold; to shape; to fit; as, to square our actions by the opinions of others.

    Square my trial To my proportioned strength.
    --Milton.

  5. To make even, so as to leave no remainder or difference; to balance; as, to square accounts.

  6. (Math.) To multiply by itself; as, to square a number or a quantity.

  7. (Astrol.) To hold a quartile position respecting.

    The icy Goat and Crab that square the Scales.
    --Creech.

  8. (Naut.) To place at right angles with the keel; as, to square the yards.

    To square one's shoulders, to raise the shoulders so as to give them a square appearance, -- a movement expressing contempt or dislike.
    --Sir W. Scott.

    To square the circle (Math.), to determine the exact contents of a circle in square measure. The solution of this famous problem is now generally admitted to be impossible.