quad·ri·lat·er·al

[kwod-ruh-lat-er-uhl]
adjective
1.
having four sides.
noun
2.
a plane figure having four sides and four angles.
3.
something of this form.
4.
Geometry.
a.
a figure formed by four straight lines that have six points of intersection.
b.
a polygon with four sides.
5.
the space enclosed between and defended by four fortresses.
00:10
Quadrilateral is always a great word to know.
So is ort. Does it mean:
a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.

Origin:
1640–50; < Latin quadrilater(us) four-sided + -al1. See quadri-, lateral

quad·ri·lat·er·al·ly, adverb
quad·ri·lat·er·al·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
quadrilateral (ˌkwɒdrɪˈlætərəl) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
adj
1.  having or formed by four sides
 
n
2.  Also called: tetragon a polygon having four sides. A complete quadrilateral consists of four lines and their six points of intersection

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

quadrilateral
1650, from L. quadrilaterus, from quadri- "four" + latus (gen. lateris) "side" (see oblate (n.)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
quadrilateral   (kwŏd'rə-lāt'ər-əl)  Pronunciation Key 
A polygon that has four sides, such as a rectangle or rhombus.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Example sentences
The diagonal divides the original quadrilateral into two triangles.
In longitudinal section they are quadrilateral in shape, being about twice as
  long as they are broad.
Explain that you will be giving them an area and they must draw a quadrilateral
  that has that area.
They will create a transparency that names the quadrilateral and its
  characteristics, and illustrates the diagonals and midpoints.
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