Found 2 items, similar to magic square.
English → English (WordNet) Definition: magic square magic square n : a square matrix of n rows and columns; the first n-squared integers are arranged in the cells of the matrix is such a way that the sum of any row or column or diagonal is the same
English → English (gcide) Definition: Magic square Magic \Mag"ic\, Magical \Mag"ic*al\, a. [L. magicus, Gr. ?, fr. ?: cf. F. magique. See Magi.] 1. Pertaining to the hidden wisdom supposed to be possessed by the Magi; relating to the occult powers of nature, and the producing of effects by their agency. [1913 Webster] 2. Performed by, or proceeding from, occult and superhuman agencies; done by, or seemingly done by, enchantment or sorcery; as, a magical spell. Hence: Seemingly requiring more than human power; imposing or startling in performance; producing effects which seem supernatural or very extraordinary; having extraordinary properties; as, a magic lantern; a magic square or circle. [1913 Webster] The painter's magic skill. --Cowper. [1913 Webster] Note: Although with certain words magic is used more than magical, -- as, magic circle, magic square, magic wand, -- we may in general say magic or magical; as, a magic or magical effect; a magic or magical influence, etc. But when the adjective is predicative, magical, and not magic, is used; as, the effect was magical. [1913 Webster] Magic circle, a series of concentric circles containing the numbers 12 to 75 in eight radii, and having somewhat similar properties to the magic square. Magic humming bird (Zo["o]l.), a Mexican humming bird (Iache magica), having white downy thing tufts. Magic lantern. See Lantern. Magic square, numbers so disposed in parallel and equal rows in the form of a square, that each row, taken vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, shall give the same sum, the same product, or an harmonical series, according as the numbers taken are in arithmetical, geometrical, or harmonical progression. Magic wand, a wand used by a magician in performing feats of magic. [1913 Webster] Square \Square\ (skw[^a]r), n. [OF. esquarre, esquierre, F. ['e]querre a carpenter's square (cf. It. squadra), fr. (assumed) LL. exquadrare to make square; L. ex + quadrus a square, fr. quattuor four. See Four, and cf. Quadrant, Squad, Squire a square.] 1. (Geom.) (a) The corner, or angle, of a figure. [Obs.] (b) A parallelogram having four equal sides and four right angles. [1913 Webster] 2. Hence, anything which is square, or nearly so; as: (a) A square piece or fragment. [1913 Webster] He bolted his food down his capacious throat in squares of three inches. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster] (b) A pane of glass. (c) (Print.) A certain number of lines, forming a portion of a column, nearly square; -- used chiefly in reckoning the prices of advertisements in newspapers. (d) (Carp.) One hundred superficial feet. [1913 Webster] 3. An area of four sides, generally with houses on each side; sometimes, a solid block of houses; also, an open place or area for public use, as at the meeting or intersection of two or more streets. [1913 Webster] The statue of Alexander VII. stands in the large square of the town. --Addison. [1913 Webster] 4. (Mech. & Joinery) An instrument having at least one right angle and two or more straight edges, used to lay out or test square work. It is of several forms, as the T square, the carpenter's square, the try-square., etc. [1913 Webster] 5. Hence, a pattern or rule. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] 6. (Arith. & Alg.) The product of a number or quantity multiplied by itself; thus, 64 is the square of 8, for 8 [times] 8 = 64; the square of a + b is a^2 + 2ab + b^2. [1913 Webster] 7. Exact proportion; justness of workmanship and conduct; regularity; rule. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] They of Galatia [were] much more out of square. --Hooker. [1913 Webster] I have not kept my square. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 8. (Mil.) A body of troops formed in a square, esp. one formed to resist a charge of cavalry; a squadron. “The brave squares of war.” --Shak. [1913 Webster] 9. Fig.: The relation of harmony, or exact agreement; equality; level. [1913 Webster] We live not on the square with such as these. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 10. (Astrol.) The position of planets distant ninety degrees from each other; a quadrate. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] 11. The act of squaring, or quarreling; a quarrel. [R.] [1913 Webster] 12. The front of a woman's dress over the bosom, usually worked or embroidered. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster] fair and square in a fair, straightforward, and honest manner; justly; as, he beat me fair and square. Geometrical square. See Quadrat, n., 2. Hollow square (Mil.), a formation of troops in the shape of a square, each side consisting of four or five ranks, and the colors, officers, horses, etc., occupying the middle. Least square, Magic square, etc. See under Least, Magic, etc. On the square, or Upon the square, (a) in an open, fair manner; honestly, or upon honor; justly. [Obs or Colloq.] (b) at right angles. On the square with, or Upon the square with, upon equality with; even with. --Nares. To be all squares, to be all settled. [Colloq.] --Dickens. To be at square, to be in a state of quarreling. [Obs.] --Nares. To break no squares, to give no offense; to make no difference. [Obs.] To break squares, to depart from an accustomed order. [Obs.] To see how the squares go, to see how the game proceeds; -- a phrase taken from the game of chess, the chessboard being formed with squares. [Obs.] --L'Estrange. [1913 Webster]