7
$\begingroup$

I apologise for the really basic question. This didn't really fit on any other StackExchange website so the Maths one was the closest one where I could ask.

Really Basic Question- What are $4$ sided shapes called again?

Like how triangles are $3$ sided shapes, octagons are $8$ sided shapes, ... What are the $4$ sided ones called then?

  • 3
    Um...'Eck' means 'corner'.2010-09-22

4 Answers 4

10

The word quadrilateral is made of the words quad (meaning "four") and lateral (meaning "of sides").

4

Shorter version is "quadrangle".

  • 0
    Only of its regular.2010-09-22
1

Wait, never mind. It's quadrilateral. :)

0

I have a draft article where I 'should' use 'quadrilateral' dozens of times. I refuse, stating up front that I will use 'quad' instead.

  • 0
    @Neil de B: I am guided by two principles which are somewhat in conflict here - 1) to use standard terminology, and 2) to avoid overburdening the reader. Following (2), I shorten 'quadrilateral' to 'quad'. And it doesn't trample (1), as it's just shorthand, and not likely to cause confusion.2010-09-22