Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Square \Square\, a.
   1. (Geom.) Having four equal sides and four right angles; as,
      a square figure.

   2. Forming a right angle; as, a square corner.

   3. Having a shape broad for the height, with rectilineal and
      angular rather than curving outlines; as, a man of a
      square frame.

   4. Exactly suitable or correspondent; true; just.

            She's a most truimphant lady, if report be square to
            her.                                  --Shak.

   5. Rendering equal justice; exact; fair; honest, as square
      dealing.

   6. Even; leaving no balance; as, to make or leave the
      accounts square.

   7. Leaving nothing; hearty; vigorous.

            By Heaven, square eaters. More meat, I say. --Beau.
                                                  & Fl.

   8. (Naut.) At right angles with the mast or the keel, and
      parallel to the horizon; -- said of the yards of a
      square-rigged vessel when they are so braced.

   Note: Square is often used in self-explaining compounds or
         combination, as in square-built, square-cornered,
         square-cut, square-nosed, etc.

   {Square foot}, an area equal to that of a square the sides of
      which are twelwe inches; 144 square inches.

   {Square knot}, a knot in which the terminal and standing
      parts are parallel to each other; a reef knot. See Illust.
      under {Knot}.

   {Square measure}, the measure of a superficies or surface
      which depends on the length and breadth taken conjointly.
      The units of square measure are squares whose sides are
      the linear measures; as, square inches, square feet,
      square meters, etc.

   {Square number}. See {square}, n., 6.

   {Square root of a number} or {quantity} (Math.), that number
      or quantity which, multiplied by itself produces the given
      number or quantity.

   {Square sail} (Naut.), a four-sided sail extended upon a yard
      suspended by the middle; sometimes, the foresail of a
      schooner set upon a yard; also, a cutter's or sloop's sail
      boomed out. See Illust. of {Sail}.

   {Square stern} (Naut.), a stern having a transom and joining
      the counter timbers at an angle, as distinguished from a
      round stern, which has no transom.

   {Three-square}, {Five-square}, etc., having three, five,
      etc., equal sides; as, a three-square file.

   {To get square with}, to get even with; to pay off. [Colloq.]

Measure \Meas"ure\, n. [OE. mesure, F. mesure, L. mensura, fr.
   metiri, mensus, to measure; akin to metrum poetical measure,
   Gr. ?, E. meter. Cf. {Immense}, {Mensuration}, {Mete} to
   measure.]
   1. A standard of dimension; a fixed unit of quantity or
      extent; an extent or quantity in the fractions or
      multiples of which anything is estimated and stated;
      hence, a rule by which anything is adjusted or judged.

   2. An instrument by means of which size or quantity is
      measured, as a graduated line, rod, vessel, or the like.

            False ells and measures be brought all clean adown.
                                                  --R. of
                                                  Gloucester.

   3. The dimensions or capacity of anything, reckoned according
      to some standard; size or extent, determined and stated;
      estimated extent; as, to take one's measure for a coat.

            The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and
            broader than the sea.                 --Job xi. 9.

   4. The contents of a vessel by which quantity is measured; a
      quantity determined by a standard; a stated or limited
      quantity or amount.

            It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in
            three measures of meal.               --Luke xiii.
                                                  21.

   5. Extent or degree not excessive or beyong bounds;
      moderation; due restraint; esp. in the phrases, in
      measure; with measure; without or beyond measure.

            Hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth
            without measure.                      --Is. v. 14.

   6. Determined extent, not to be exceeded; limit; allotted
      share, as of action, influence, ability, or the like; due
      proportion.

            Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of
            my days.                              --Ps. xxxix.
                                                  4.

   7. The quantity determined by measuring, especially in buying
      and selling; as, to give good or full measure.

   8. Undefined quantity; extent; degree.

            There is a great measure of discretion to be used in
            the performance of confession.        --Jer. Taylor.

   9. Regulated division of movement:
      (a) (Dancing) A regulated movement corresponding to the
          time in which the accompanying music is performed;
          but, especially, a slow and stately dance, like the
          minuet.
      (b) (Mus.) (1) The group or grouping of beats, caused by
          the regular recurrence of accented beats. (2) The
          space between two bars. See {Beat}, {Triple},
          {Quadruple}, {Sextuple}, {Compound time}, under
          {Compound}, a., and {Figure}.
      (c) (Poetry) The manner of ordering and combining the
          quantities, or long and short syllables; meter;
          rhythm; hence, a foot; as, a poem in iambic measure.

   10. (Arith.) A number which is contained in a given number a
       number of times without a remainder; as in the phrases,
       the common measure, the greatest common measure, etc., of
       two or more numbers.

   11. A step or definite part of a progressive course or
       policy; a means to an end; an act designed for the
       accomplishment of an object; as, political measures;
       prudent measures; an inefficient measure.

             His majesty found what wrong measures he had taken
             in the conferring that trust, and lamented his
             error.                               --Clarendon.

   12. The act of measuring; measurement. --Shak.

   13. pl. (Geol.) Beds or strata; as, coal measures; lead
       measures.

   {Lineal}, or {Long}, {measure}, measure of length; the
      measure of lines or distances.

   {Liquid measure}, the measure of liquids.

   {Square measure}, the measure of superficial area of surfaces
      in square units, as inches, feet, miles, etc.

   {To have hard measure}, to have harsh treatment meted out to
      one; to be harshly or oppressively dealt with.

   {To take measures}, to make preparations; to provide means.
      

   {To take one's measure}, to measure one, as for a garment;
      hence, to form an opinion of one's disposition, character,
      ability, etc.

   {To tread a measure}, to dance in the style so called. See 9
       (a) .

                 Say to her, we have measured many miles To
                 tread a measure with her on this grass. --Shak.

Source : WordNet®

square measure
     n : a system of units used to measure areas [syn: {area unit}]