Definition

1. Noun:
   • A try square is a woodworking or metalworking tool used for marking and checking right angles (90° angles). It consists of a metal or wooden blade (the ruler) fixed at a right angle to a thicker, shorter piece called the stock or handle.

Usage

• The try square is an essential tool for ensuring corners are perfectly square.
• A carpenter uses a try square to mark a line perpendicular to the edge of a board.
• You can check the accuracy of a joint by placing the stock of the try square against one surface and seeing if the blade lies flush against the other.

Advanced Usage

• "To try a piece of work": An older, technical usage meaning to test or check the squareness or accuracy of a workpiece using a try square.
  • The joiner tried the frame with his square before assembly.

Variants and Related Words

• Square (n): A more general term for any tool used for checking or marking right angles, which can include try squares, combination squares, and engineer's squares.
• Engineer's square: A similar, often more precise, tool typically made entirely of metal and used in metalworking.
• Combination square: A multi-purpose tool that can function as a try square, but also as a miter square and level, with a blade that slides through the stock.

Synonyms

• Carpenter's square (though this often refers to a larger L-shaped or framing square).
• Right-angle gauge.

Related Phrases

• "Out of square": Not forming a perfect right angle.
  • The door frame was out of square, causing the door to stick.
• "To square up": To make something perpendicular or aligned correctly.
  • Square up the board before you make the cut.

Noun

1. a square having a metal ruler set at right angles to another straight piece