Quadros

Quadro (plural quadros) is a Portuguese term with several related meanings tied to frames, pictures, and panels. The word is cognate with the Spanish cuadro and the Italian quadro, and in distinct senses it covers art, display surfaces, and technical enclosures.

In art and décor, a quadro is typically a painting or picture, or the object that frames it. The phrase "um quadro" can refer to a work of art hung on a wall, and "quadro" also denotes the physical frame itself.

In information display, quadros are boards or panels used to present data or notices. Examples include "quadro de avisos" (bulletin board), "quadro branco" (whiteboard), and "quadro negro" (blackboard).

In electrical engineering and industrial contexts, "quadro" denotes a panel or cabinet that houses switches, meters, and connections. Common terms include "quadro elétrico" and "quadro de distribuição" for the electrical distribution panel.

In data management and organizational contexts, "quadro de dados" can refer to a table-like data structure, and "quadro de pessoal" or "quadro de funcionários" denotes the workforce or staff of an organization.

Etymology and usage notes: the term derives from a root associated with geometry and frames, and the plural quadros is used for multiple items of the same kind. In Portuguese, the exact sense is determined by context, with common distinctions between art versus board, or picture versus panel.