quarter

quar•ter

[[t]ˈkwɔr tər[/t]] n.

1) one of the four equal or equivalent parts into which anything is or may be divided

2) cvb a fourth part, esp. of one (¼)

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

4) num a coin of this value

5) one fourth of an hour; 15 minutes

6) the moment marking this period:

The clock struck the quarter[/ex]

7) one fourth of a calendar or fiscal year

8) astron. 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

9) edu a term of instruction at a school or college lasting about 10 to 12 weeks

10) spo any of the four equal periods of play in certain games, as football and basketball

Compare half 3)

11) wam one fourth of a pound

12) wam one fourth of a mile; 2 furlongs

13) wam one fourth of a yard; 9 inches

14) wam one fourth of a hundredweight: in the U.S. equaling 25 lbs. and in Britain 28 lbs

15) navig. geo

a) the region of any of the four principal points of the compass or divisions of the horizon

b) such a point or division

c) any point or direction of the compass

d) the fourth part of the distance between any two adjacent points of the 32 marked on a compass

16) a region, district, or place

17) a district of a city or town, esp. one largely occupied by a particular group:

the Turkish quarter[/ex]

18) Usu., quarters

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

b) mil the buildings, rooms, etc., occupied by military personnel or their families

19) Often, quarters. an unspecified person or group serving as a source:

secret information from a high quarter[/ex]

20) mercy or indulgence, esp. as shown in sparing the life of a vanquished enemy:

to give quarter[/ex]

21) zool. one of the four parts, each including a leg, of the body or carcass of a quadruped

22) vet the side of a horse's hoof between the toe and heel

23) clo the part of a boot or shoe on each side of the foot, from the middle of the back to the vamp

24) navig.

a) navig. naut. the after part of a ship's side, usu. from about the aftermost mast to the stern

b) navig. naut. the general horizontal direction 45° from the stern of a ship on either side

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

d) navig. naut. the part of a yard between the slings and the yardarm

25) her

a) any of the four equal areas into which an escutcheon can be divided

b) her a charge occupying a quarter

26) to divide into four equal or equivalent parts

27) to divide into parts fewer or more than four

28) to cut the body of (a person) into quarters, esp. after executing for treason

29) to furnish with lodging

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

31) her

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

32) to take up or be in quarters; lodge

33) to range to and fro, as dogs in search of game

34) naut. navig. to sail so as to have the wind or sea on the quarter

35) being one of four equal or approximately equal parts

36) wam being equal to only about one fourth of the full measure

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Etymology: 1250–1300; ME < AF; OF quartier < L quārtārius=quārt(us) fourth+-ārius -ary quar′ter•er, n.