in general, denotes any plain surface, wherever we walk, &c. The word is Latin, importing more properly a threshing floor; and is derived from arere, "to be dry."

architecture, denotes the space or site of ground on which an edifice stands. It is also used for inner courts and those portions of ground.

geometry, denotes the superficial content of any figure. Thus, if a figure, e.g., a field, be in form of a square, and its side be 40 feet long, its area is said to be 1600 square feet; or it contains 1600 little squares, each a foot every way.