First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1quarter
noun quar·ter \ˈkwȯ(r)-tər also ˈkȯ(r)-\
: one of four equal parts of something
: a unit of something (such as weight or length) that equals one fourth of some larger unit
: one of four divisions of an hour : a period of 15 minutes
Full Definition of QUARTER
1
: one of four equal parts into which something is divisible : a fourth part <in the top quarter of his class>
2
: any of various units of capacity or weight equal to or derived from one fourth of some larger unit
3
: any of various units of length or area equal to one fourth of some larger unit
4
: the fourth part of a measure of time: as a : one of a set of four 3-month divisions of a year <business was up during the third quarter> b : a school term of about 12 weeks c : quarter hour <a quarter after three>
5
a : a coin worth a quarter of a dollar b : the sum of 25 cents
6
a : one limb of a quadruped with the adjacent parts; especially : one fourth part of the carcass of a slaughtered animal including a leg b plural British : hindquarter 2
7
a : the region or direction lying under any of the four divisions of the horizon b : one of the four parts into which the horizon is divided or the cardinal point corresponding to it c : a compass point or direction other than the cardinal points d (1) : an unspecified person or group <financial help from many quarters — Current Biography> (2) : a point, direction, or place not definitely identified <the view to the rear quarter — Consumer Reports>
8
a : a division or district of a town or city <he describes the immigrant quarter — Alfred Kazin> b : the inhabitants of such a quarter
9
a : an assigned station or post b plural : an assembly of a ship's company for ceremony, drill, or emergency c plural : living accommodations : lodgings <show you to your quarters>
10
: merciful consideration of an opponent <a team that gave no quarter during the championship game>; specifically : the clemency of not killing a defeated enemy
11
: a fourth part of the moon's period
12
: the side of a horse's hoof between the toe and the heel — see hoof illustration
13
a : any of the four parts into which a heraldic field is divided b : a bearing or charge occupying the first fourth part of a heraldic field
14
: the stern area of a ship's side
15
: one side of the upper of a shoe or boot from heel to vamp
16
: one of the four equal periods into which the playing time of some games is divided
See quarter defined for English-language learners
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Origin of QUARTER
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin quartarius, from quartus fourth
Related to QUARTER
- Synonyms
- nabe, neighborhood, district, section
Other Number-Related Terms
2quarter
verb
: to divide or separate (something) into four parts
: to provide (someone) with a place to stay for a usually short period of time : to provide living quarters for (someone)
Full Definition of QUARTER
transitive verb
1
a : to cut or divide into four equal or nearly equal parts <quarter an apple> <condemned to be hanged, drawn, and quartered> b archaic : divide
2
: to provide with lodging or shelter
3
: to crisscross (an area) in many directions
4
a : to arrange or bear (as different coats of arms) quarterly on one escutcheon b : to add (a coat of arms) to others on one escutcheon c : to divide (a shield) into distinct sections (as by stripes)
intransitive verb
2
: to crisscross a district
3
: to change from one quarter to another <the moon quarters>
4
: to strike on a ship's quarter <the wind was quartering>
See quarter defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of QUARTER
14th century
Related to QUARTER
3quarter
adjective
: equal or about nearly equal in size, value, amount, etc., to one fourth of something
Full Definition of QUARTER
: consisting of or equal to a quarter
See quarter defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of QUARTER
14th century
QUARTERS Defined for Kids
1quarter
noun quar·ter \ˈkwȯr-tər\
Definition of QUARTER for Kids
1
: one of four equal parts into which something can be divided <a quarter of an hour> <Cut the pie into quarters.>
2
: a United States coin worth 25 cents
3
: someone or something (as a place, direction, or group) not clearly identified <Complaints came from all quarters.>
4
: a particular division or district of a city <the city's historic quarter>
5
quarters plural : a dwelling place <living quarters>
6
: mercy 1 <The soldiers showed no quarter to the enemy.>
2quarter
verb
quar·teredquar·ter·ing
Definition of QUARTER for Kids
1
: to divide into four usually equal parts <Peel and quarter an orange.>
2
: to provide with lodgings or shelter <We were quartered in log cabins.>
3quarter
adjective
Definition of QUARTER for Kids
: consisting of or equal to one fourth of <Give it a quarter turn.>
Medical Dictionary
quarter
noun quar·ter \ˈkwȯ(r)t-ər\
Medical Definition of QUARTER
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
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