quadrat — ONAD

quadrat /ˈkwädrat, , ˈkwɑdræt

, ˈkwädrət, ˈkwɑdrət

▸ noun

1 Ecology each of a number of small areas of habitat, typically of one square meter, selected at random to act as samples for assessing the local distribution of plants or animals.

▪ a portable frame, typically with an internal grid, used to mark out a quadrat.

2 Printing (in letterpress printing) a small block of metal, lower than the face of the type, inserted to fill up short lines or adjust spacing.

– ORIGIN late Middle English (in sense ‘instrument for measuring altitude or distance’): from Latin quadratum quadrate.