carpenter's square
Noun: A carpenter's square is a large, L-shaped measuring and marking tool, typically made of steel, used by woodworkers and builders. It consists of a long arm (the blade) and a shorter, wider arm (the tongue) fixed at a precise 90-degree (right) angle to each other. Its primary functions are to check and mark right angles, to serve as a straightedge for drawing lines, and to measure dimensions.
The carpenter's square is a fundamental tool in woodworking and construction for ensuring accuracy. * Use it to verify that a corner or joint forms a perfect 90-degree angle. * Use it to mark a straight, perpendicular line across a board. * Use it as a guide for a pencil or scribe to draw long, straight lines. * Use its etched measurement scales to measure lengths and widths.
- Noun:
- Before cutting the board, the builder used a carpenter's square to mark a perfectly perpendicular line.
- To ensure the frame was true, he checked each corner with a heavy steel carpenter's square.
- A reliable carpenter's square is essential for laying out rafters and stair stringers.
- "To square something up": This common workshop phrase means to adjust an object so its corners are perfect right angles, typically using a carpenter's square to check.
- After assembling the cabinet box, he squared it up before attaching the back panel.
- Framing square: Another common name for a carpenter's square, especially the larger type used in building framing.
- Steel square: A general term that includes carpenter's squares and similar L-shaped tools.
- Try square: A smaller, often wooden-handled tool used for checking 90-degree angles on smaller workpieces. A carpenter's square is explicitly larger than a try square.
- Combination square: An adjustable tool that can function as a try square, miter square, and level, but is distinct from the fixed-angle carpenter's square.
- Framing square (near-synonym, specific type)
- Steel square (near-synonym, material-based)
- Right-angle gauge (functional description)
- On the square: An idiom meaning honest, fair, or correct, derived from the tool's association with true angles and precision.
- You can trust him; all his business dealings are on the square.
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a steel square used by carpenters; larger than a try square
