quarter definition | Dictionary.com

quar⋅ter

[kwawr-ter]

–noun

1.	one of the four equal or equivalent parts into which anything is or may be divided: a quarter of an apple; a quarter of a book.

2.	a fourth part, esp. of one ( ¹/₄ ).

3.	one fourth of a U.S. or Canadian dollar, equivalent to 25 cents.

4.	a coin of this value.

5.	one fourth of an hour: He stayed there for an hour and a quarter.

6.	the moment marking this period: The clock struck the quarter.

7.	one fourth of a calendar or fiscal year: The bank sends out a statement each quarter.

Astronomy.

a.	a fourth of the moon's period or monthly revolution, being that portion of its period or orbital course between a quadrature and a syzygy.

b.	either quadrature of the moon. Compare first quarter, last quarter.

9.	(in schools, colleges, and universities) one of the terms or periods into which instruction is organized, generally 10 to 12 weeks in length.

10.	Sports. any of the four periods that make up certain games, as football and basketball. Compare half (def. 3).

11.	one fourth of a pound.

12.	one fourth of a mile; two furlongs.

13.	one fourth of a yard; 9 inches.

14.	a unit of weight: one fourth of a hundredweight. In the U.S. this equals 25 lbs. and in Britain 28 lbs.

15.	British. a measure of capacity for grain, etc., equal to 8 bushels, or, locally, to approximately this.

16.	the region of any of the four principal points of the compass or divisions of the horizon.

17.	such a point or division.

18.	any point or direction of the compass: The wind is blowing in that quarter.

19.	a region, district, or place.

20.	a particular district of a city or town, esp. one generally occupied by a particular group of people: the Turkish quarter; an artists' quarter.

21.

Usually, quarters.

a.	housing accommodations, as a place of residence; lodgings.

b.	Military. the buildings, houses, barracks, or rooms occupied by military personnel or their families.

22.	Often, quarters. an unspecified part or member of a community, government, etc., that serves as a source of information or authority: He received secret information from a high quarter.

23.	mercy or indulgence, esp. as shown in sparing the life and accepting the surrender of a vanquished enemy: to give quarter; to ask for quarter.

24.	one of the four parts, each including a leg, of the body or carcass of a quadruped.

25.	Veterinary Medicine. the part of a horse's hoof between heel and toe.

26.	Shoemaking. the part of a boot or shoe on each side of the foot, from the middle of the back to the vamp.

27.

Nautical.

a.	the after part of a ship's side, usually from about the aftermost mast to the stern.

b.	the general horizontal direction 45° from the stern of a ship on either side: Another boat is coming near on the port quarter.

c.	one of the stations to which crew members are called for battle, emergencies, or drills.

d.	the part of a yard between the slings and the yardarm.

e.	quarter point.

28.

Heraldry.

a.	any of the four equal areas into which an escutcheon may be divided by a vertical and a horizontal line passing through the center.

b.	any of the variously numbered areas into which an escutcheon may be divided for the marshaling of different arms.

c.	any of the arms marshaled on an escutcheon.

d.	a charge occupying one quarter of an escutcheon, esp. that in dexter chief. Compare canton (def. 3).

29.	each half of a cask, consisting of the portion from the bilge to the top chime and the portion from the bilge to the bottom chime.

–verb (used with object)

30.	to divide into four equal or equivalent parts.

31.	to divide into parts fewer or more than four: Quarter the pie into six pieces.

32.	to cut the body of (a person) into quarters, esp. in executing for treason or the like.

33.	Machinery. to make holes in, fix, etc., a quarter of a circle apart.

34.	to furnish with lodging in a particular place.

35.	to impose (soldiers) on persons, towns, etc., to be lodged and fed: He quartered his men with the farmer.

36.	to assign to a particular place for service, action, etc., as on a battleship.

37.	to traverse (the ground) from left to right and right to left while advancing, as dogs in search of game.

38.

Heraldry.

a.	to divide (an escutcheon) into four or more parts.

b.	to place or bear quarterly (different coats of arms, etc.) on an escutcheon.

c.	to display (a coat of arms) with one's own on an escutcheon.

–verb (used without object)

39.	to take up, or be in quarters; lodge: to quarter in a cheap hotel.

40.	to range to and fro, as dogs in search of game.

41.	Nautical. to sail so as to have the wind or sea on the quarter.

–adjective

42.	being one of four equal or approximately equal parts into which anything is or may be divided.

43.	being equal to only about one fourth of the full measure.

Origin:
1250–1300; (n.) ME < AF; OF quartier < L quartārius, equiv. to quart(us) fourth + -ārius -ary; (v.) ME quarteren, deriv. of the n.

Related forms:

quar⋅ter⋅er, noun

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quarter point

–noun

the fourth part of the distance between any two adjacent points of the 32 marked on a compass, being 2° 48′ 45″.

Also called quarter.

Origin:
1720–30

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To quarter

quar·ter (kwôr'tər)

One of four equal parts.
A coin equal to one fourth of the dollar of the United States and Canada.
One fourth of an hour; 15 minutes.
Abbr. Q
1. One fourth of a year; three months: Sales were up in the second quarter.
2. An academic term lasting approximately three months.
3. One fourth of the period of the moon's revolution around Earth.
4. One of the four phases of the moon: the first quarter; the third quarter.
5. One fourth of a hundredweight; 25 pounds.
6. One fourth of a British hundredweight; 28 pounds.
7. One of the four major divisions of the compass.
8. One fourth of the distance between any two of the 32 divisions of the compass.
9. One of the four major divisions of the horizon as determined by the four major points of the compass.
10. A region or an area of the earth thought of as falling into such a specific division of the compass.
11. Nautical The general direction on either side of a ship located 45° off the stern.
12. The upper portion of the after side of a ship, usually between the aftermost mast and the stern.
13. The part of a yard between the slings and the yardarm.
Astronomy
1. One fourth of the period of the moon's revolution around Earth.
2. One of the four phases of the moon: the first quarter; the third quarter.
3. One fourth of a hundredweight; 25 pounds.
4. One fourth of a British hundredweight; 28 pounds.
5. One of the four major divisions of the compass.
6. One fourth of the distance between any two of the 32 divisions of the compass.
7. One of the four major divisions of the horizon as determined by the four major points of the compass.
8. A region or an area of the earth thought of as falling into such a specific division of the compass.
9. Nautical The general direction on either side of a ship located 45° off the stern.
10. The upper portion of the after side of a ship, usually between the aftermost mast and the stern.
11. The part of a yard between the slings and the yardarm.
Sports One of four equal periods of playing time into which some games, such as football and basketball, are divided.
One fourth of a yard; nine inches.
One fourth of a mile; two furlongs.
One fourth of a pound; four ounces.
One fourth of a ton; 500 pounds. Used as a measure of grain.
Chiefly British A measure of grain equal to approximately eight bushels.
1. One fourth of a hundredweight; 25 pounds.
2. One fourth of a British hundredweight; 28 pounds.
3. One of the four major divisions of the compass.
4. One fourth of the distance between any two of the 32 divisions of the compass.
5. One of the four major divisions of the horizon as determined by the four major points of the compass.
6. A region or an area of the earth thought of as falling into such a specific division of the compass.
7. Nautical The general direction on either side of a ship located 45° off the stern.
8. The upper portion of the after side of a ship, usually between the aftermost mast and the stern.
9. The part of a yard between the slings and the yardarm.
1. One of the four major divisions of the compass.
2. One fourth of the distance between any two of the 32 divisions of the compass.
3. One of the four major divisions of the horizon as determined by the four major points of the compass.
4. A region or an area of the earth thought of as falling into such a specific division of the compass.
5. Nautical The general direction on either side of a ship located 45° off the stern.
6. The upper portion of the after side of a ship, usually between the aftermost mast and the stern.
7. The part of a yard between the slings and the yardarm.
Nautical
1. The upper portion of the after side of a ship, usually between the aftermost mast and the stern.
2. The part of a yard between the slings and the yardarm.
Heraldry Any of four equal divisions of a shield.
One leg of an animal's carcass, usually including the adjoining parts.
Either side of a horse's hoof.
The part of the side of a shoe between the heel and the vamp.
quarters A place of residence, especially the buildings or barracks used to house military personnel or their dependents.
A proper or assigned station or place, as for officers and crew on a warship. Often used in the plural.
often Quarter A specific district or section, as of a city: the French Quarter.
An unspecified person or group. Often used in the plural: information from the highest quarters.
Mercy or clemency, especially when displayed or given to an enemy.

adj.

Being one of four equal or equivalent parts.
Being one fourth of a standard or usual value.

v. quar·tered, quar·ter·ing, quar·ters

v. tr.

1. To divide into four equal or equivalent parts.
2. To quartersaw.
3. To mark or place (holes, for example) a fourth of a circle apart.
4. To locate and adjust (one machine part) at right angles to its connecting part within the machine.
To divide or separate into a number of parts.
To dismember (a human body) into four parts.
Heraldry To divide (a shield) into four equal areas with vertical and horizontal lines.
1. To mark or place (holes, for example) a fourth of a circle apart.
2. To locate and adjust (one machine part) at right angles to its connecting part within the machine.
To furnish with housing: quartered the troops in an old factory building.
To traverse (an area of ground) laterally back and forth while slowly advancing forward.

v. intr.

To take up or be assigned lodgings.
To cover an area of ground by ranging over it from side to side.

[Middle English, from Old French quartier, from Latin quārtārius, from quārtus, fourth; see k^wetwer- in Indo-European roots.]

Usage Note: When referring to the time of day, the article a is optional in phrases such as (a) quarter to (or of, before, or till) nine; (a) quarter after (or past) ten.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Quarter

Quar"ter\, n. [F. quartier, L. quartarius a fourth part, fr. quartus the fourth. See Quart.]

1. One of four equal parts into which anything is divided, or is regarded as divided; a fourth part or portion; as, a quarter of a dollar, of a pound, of a yard, of an hour, etc. Hence, specifically: (a) The fourth of a hundred-weight, being 25 or 28 pounds, according as the hundredweight is reckoned at 100 or 112 pounds. (b) The fourth of a ton in weight, or eight bushels of grain; as, a quarter of wheat; also, the fourth part of a chaldron of coal. --Hutton. (c) (Astron.) The fourth part of the moon's period, or monthly revolution; as, the first quarter after the change or full. (d) One limb of a quadruped with the adjacent parts; one fourth part of the carcass of a slaughtered animal, including a leg; as, the fore quarters; the hind quarters. (e) That part of a boot or shoe which forms the side, from the heel to the vamp. (f) (Far.) That part on either side of a horse's hoof between the toe and heel, being the side of the coffin. (g) A term of study in a seminary, college, etc, etc.; properly, a fourth part of the year, but often longer or shorter. (h) pl. (Mil.) The encampment on one of the principal passages round a place besieged, to prevent relief and intercept convoys. (i) (Naut.) The after-part of a vessel's side, generally corresponding in extent with the quarter-deck; also, the part of the yardarm outside of the slings. (j) (Her.) One of the divisions of an escutcheon when it is divided into four portions by a horizontal and a perpendicular line meeting in the fess point.

Note: When two coats of arms are united upon one escutcheon, as in case of marriage, the first and fourth quarters display one shield, the second and third the other. See Quarter, v. t., 5. (k) One of the four parts into which the horizon is regarded as divided; a cardinal point; a direction' principal division; a region; a territory.

Scouts each coast light-armed scour, Each quarter, to descry the distant foe. --Milton. (l) A division of a town, city, or county; a particular district; a locality; as, the Latin quarter in Paris. (m) (Arch.) A small upright timber post, used in partitions; -- in the United States more commonly called stud. (n) (Naut.) The fourth part of the distance from one point of the compass to another, being the fourth part of 11[deg] 15', that is, about 2[deg] 49'; -- called also quarter point.

2. Proper station; specific place; assigned position; special location.

Swift to their several quarters hasted then The cumbrous elements. --Milton. Hence, specifically: (a) (Naut.) A station at which officers and men are posted in battle; -- usually in the plural. (b) Place of lodging or temporary residence; shelter; entertainment; -- usually in the plural.

The banter turned as to what quarters each would find. --W. Irving. (c) pl. (Mil.) A station or encampment occupied by troops; a place of lodging for soldiers or officers; as, winter quarters. (d) Treatment shown by an enemy; mercy; especially, the act of sparing the life a conquered enemy; a refraining from pushing one's advantage to extremes.

He magnified his own clemency, now they were at his mercy, to offer them quarter for their lives. --Clarendon.

Cocks and lambs . . . at the mercy of cats and wolves . . . must never expect better quarter. --L'Estrange.

3. Friendship; amity; concord. [Obs.] To keep quarter, to keep one's proper place, and so be on good terms with another. [Obs.]

In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom. --Shak.

I knew two that were competitors for the secretary's place, . . . and yet kept good quarter between themselves. --Bacon.

False quarter, a cleft in the quarter of a horse's foot.

Fifth quarter, the hide and fat; -- a butcher's term.

On the quarter (Naut.), in a direction between abeam and astern; opposite, or nearly opposite, a vessel's quarter.

Quarter aspect. (Astrol.) Same as Quadrate.

Quarter back (Football), the player who has position next behind center rush, and receives the ball on the snap back.

Quarter badge (Naut.), an ornament on the side of a vessel near, the stern. --Mar. Dict.

Quarter bill (Naut.), a list specifying the different stations to be taken by the officers and crew in time of action, and the names of the men assigned to each.

Quarter block (Naut.), a block fitted under the quarters of a yard on each side of the slings, through which the clew lines and sheets are reeved. --R. H. Dana, Jr.

Quarter boat (Naut.), a boat hung at a vessel's quarter.

Quarter cloths (Naut.), long pieces of painted canvas, used to cover the quarter netting.

Quarter day, a day regarded as terminating a quarter of the year; hence, one on which any payment, especially rent, becomes due. In matters influenced by United States statutes, quarter days are the first days of January, April, July, and October. In New York and many other places, as between landlord and tenant, they are the first days of May, August, November, and February. The quarter days usually recognized in England are 25th of March (Lady Day), the 24th of June (Midsummer Day), the 29th of September (Michaelmas Day), and the 25th of December (Christmas Day).

Quarter face, in fine arts, portrait painting, etc., a face turned away so that but one quarter is visible.

Quarter gallery (Naut.), a balcony on the quarter of a ship. See Gallery, 4.

Quarter gunner (Naut.), a petty officer who assists the gunner.

Quarter look, a side glance. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.

Quarter nettings (Naut.), hammock nettings along the quarter rails.

Quarter note (Mus.), a note equal in duration to half a minim or a fourth of semibreve; a crochet.

Quarter pieces (Naut.), several pieces of timber at the after-part of the quarter gallery, near the taffrail. --Totten.

Quarter point. (Naut.) See Quarter, n., 1 (n) .

Quarter railing, or Quarter rails (Naut.), narrow molded planks reaching from the top of the stern to the gangway, serving as a fence to the quarter-deck.

Quarter sessions (Eng. Law), a general court of criminal jurisdiction held quarterly by the justices of peace in counties and by the recorders in boroughs.

Quarter square (Math.), the fourth part of the square of a number. Tables of quarter squares have been devised to save labor in multiplying numbers.

Quarter turn, Quarter turn belt (Mach.), an arrangement in which a belt transmits motion between two shafts which are at right angles with each other.

Quarter watch (Naut.), a subdivision of the full watch (one fourth of the crew) on a man-of- war.

To give, or show, quarter (Mil.), to accept as prisoner, on submission in battle; to forbear to kill, as a vanquished enemy.

To keep quarter. See Quarter, n., 3.

Quarter

Quar"ter\, v. i. To lodge; to have a temporary residence.

Quarter

Quar"ter\, v. i. [F. cartayer.] To drive a carriage so as to prevent the wheels from going into the ruts, or so that a rut shall be between the wheels.

Every creature that met us would rely on us for quartering. --De Quincey.

Language Translation for : quarter

Spanish: cuarto,

German: das Viertel,

Japanese: ４分の１

More Translations »

quarter

n. Two bits. This in turn comes from the `pieces of eight' famed in pirate movies -- Spanish silver crowns that could be broken into eight pie-slice-shaped `bits' to make change. Early in American history the Spanish coin was considered equal to a dollar, so each of these `bits' was considered worth 12.5 cents. Syn. {tayste}, crumb, quad. Usage: rare. General discussion of such terms is under nybble.

Jargon File 4.2.0
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quarter (n.)

c.1300, "one-fourth of anything," from O.Fr. quartier (12c.), from L. quartarius "fourth part," from quartus "fourth" (see quart). Earliest sense is "parts of the body as dismembered during execution" (1297). Used of the moon from c.1400 and the hour from 1599. The coin is peculiar to U.S., first recorded 1783. Meaning "region, locality" is from c.1300. Meaning "portion of a town" (identified by the class or race of people who live there) is first attested 1526. The verb meaning "to cut in quarters" is recorded from c.1430. Quarter days (1480), when rents were paid and contracts and leases began or expired, were, in England, Lady day (March 25), Midsummer day (June 24), Michaelmas day (Sept. 29), and Christmas day (Dec. 25); in Scotland, keeping closer to the pagan Celtic calendar, they were Candlemas (Feb. 2), Whitsunday (May 15), Lammas (Aug. 1), and Martinmas (Nov. 11). Quarter horse, bred strong for racing on quarter-mile tracks, first recorded 1834; quarterback (n.) in U.S. football is from 1879; the verb is first attested 1945. Monday morning quarterback originally was pro football player slang for sportswriters, attested from 1932.

quarter

One quarter of a point. For bond quotes, a quarter represents one quarter of 1% of par, or $2.50. Thus, a bond quoted at 91 2/4 is being offered for $917.50.
A 3-month period that represents 25% of a fiscal year.

Main Entry: quar·ter
Pronunciation: 'kwo(r)t-&r
Function: noun
1 : one limb of a quadruped with the adjacent parts
2 : one teat together with the part of a cow's udder that it drains
3 : the side of a horse's hoof between the toe and the heel

quarter
crumb

quarter

see at close quarters; draw and quarter.

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