Quad"ra*ture (?), n. [L.
quadratura: cf. F. quadrature. See Quadrate,
a.] 1. (Math.) The act
of squaring; the finding of a square having the same area as some
given curvilinear figure; as, the quadrature of a circle; the
operation of finding an expression for the area of a figure bounded
wholly or in part by a curved line, as by a curve, two ordinates, and
the axis of abscissas.
2. A quadrate; a square.
Milton.
3. (Integral Calculus) The integral
used in obtaining the area bounded by a curve; hence, the definite
integral of the product of any function of one variable into the
differential of that variable.
4. (Astron.) The position of one
heavenly body in respect to another when distant from it 90°, or a
quarter of a circle, as the moon when at an equal distance from the
points of conjunction and opposition.
Quadrature of the moon (Astron.), the
position of the moon when one half of the disk is illuminated. --
Quadrature of an orbit (Astron.), a point
in an orbit which is at either extremity of the latus rectum drawn
through the empty focus of the orbit.
