quadrat

A piece of type metal lower than the raised typeface, used for filling spaces and blank lines.

Any of a group of small, usually rectangular plots of land used for sampling the occurrence of species or of archaeological artifacts.

In experimental agriculture, a square area of convenient size laid off for the purpose of accurate planting.

In phytogeography, a similar square laid off for close study of the relative abundance of species or of other questions.

See quadrate.

In printing, a blank type for the larger blank spaces in or at the end of printed lines, cast lower in height, so that it shall not be inked or impressed: made in four forms for all text type—en, em, two-em, three-em. Usually abbreviated to quad.

The low quadrat, for letterpress work, is about three fourths of an inch high: the high quadrat, for stereotype work, is about ten twelfths of an inch high.

An instrument furnished with sights, a plummet, and an index, and used for measuring altitudes, but superseded by more perfect instruments in modern use. Also called geometrical square, and line of shadows.

A series or set of four.

A block of type metal lower than the letters, — used in spacing and in blank lines.