the word 'squarish' is a modern english formation that combines the established noun 'square' with the productive adjectival suffix '-ish'. the root 'square' itself has a long lineage, tracing back to latin 'quadrare' meaning 'to make square', which is derived from 'quadrus' meaning 'a square', ultimately from the proto-indo-european root 'kʷetwóres' meaning 'four', highlighting the fundamental four-sided nature of a square. the suffix '-ish', of ancient germanic origin, is commonly used to denote approximation or resemblance. therefore, the literal construction 'square-like' or 'somewhat square' perfectly captures the word's modern meaning of being roughly, but not perfectly, square in shape.

Structure: square (square) + ish (adjective suffix) - square: from old french 'esquarre', from vulgar latin 'exquadra', from latin 'ex-' (out) + 'quadrare' (to make square). functions as the base root conveying the core concept of a square shape. - ish: from old english '-isc', of germanic origin. functions as a suffix forming adjectives meaning 'having the qualities of', 'somewhat', or 'approximately'.