Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Broad and solidly built: Describes a person or thing having a sturdy, wide, and often muscular physical structure, typically suggesting strength and a lack of slenderness.

Usage

• The adjective "square-built" is used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like "be" or "seem") to describe physical build.
• It often carries a neutral or slightly positive connotation of robustness and strength.

Examples

• Attributive use:
  • The square-built wrestler easily lifted his opponent. (The wrestler, who was broad and solidly built, easily lifted his opponent.)
  • He leaned against the square-built doorframe. (He leaned against the doorframe, which was broad and solidly constructed.)
• Predicative use:
  • The old sailor was square-built and tough. (The old sailor had a broad, solid physique and was tough.)
  • For a gymnast, she is surprisingly square-built. (For a gymnast, she has a surprisingly broad and solid build.)

Advanced Usage

• Figurative Use: While primarily physical, it can be applied metaphorically to describe objects or structures that give an impression of solidity and lack of refinement.
  • The square-built architecture of the fortress was imposing. (The fortress's architecture was broad, solid, and imposing.)

Variants and Related Words

• Stocky (adj): Having a short, thick, and solid build.
  • He was a stocky man, built for heavy labor.
• Burly (adj): Large and strong; heavily built.
  • The burly security guard stood at the entrance.
• Thickset (adj): Having a broad, sturdy body.
  • His thickset frame made him a natural for the role.

Synonyms

• Sturdy: Strongly and solidly built.
• Husky: Big and strong; large and solid.
• Beefy: Having a large, solid, and muscular body.

Antonyms

• Slender: Gracefully thin.
• Lanky: Ungracefully thin and tall.
• Slight: Small and thin.

Adjective

1. broad and solidly built