équarrir

Senses

1. 1.

   to square (timber)

   to shape a log into a square beam or plank

2. 2.

   to quarter (an animal)

   to dismember or cut into pieces, historically as punishment

3. 3.

   to widen

   to enlarge or expand the corners or edges of something

Examples

• "Le menuisier a équarri le tronc pour en faire une poutre."

  The carpenter squared the log to make a beam.

• "La forêt fournissait du bois équarri pour la construction."

  The forest supplied squared timber for construction.

• "Au Moyen Âge, les condamnés étaient parfois équarris."

  In the Middle Ages, condemned prisoners were sometimes quartered.

Usage

Équarrir is a technical term commonly used in carpentry and forestry to describe converting a log into a square cross-section timber. The quartering sense is historical and archaic, appearing mainly in historical texts. Related noun: équarrissage (squaring process).