Definition of quarter
- n. - 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.
- n. - The fourth of a hundred-weight, being 25 or 28 pounds,
according as the hundredweight is reckoned at 100 or 112 pounds.
- n. - 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.
- n. - The fourth part of the moon's period, or monthly
revolution; as, the first quarter after the change or full.
- n. - 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.
- n. - That part of a boot or shoe which forms the side, from the
heel to the vamp.
- n. - That part on either side of a horse's hoof between the toe
and heel, being the side of the coffin.
- n. - A term of study in a seminary, college, etc, etc.;
properly, a fourth part of the year, but often longer or shorter.
- n. - The encampment on one of the principal passages round a
place besieged, to prevent relief and intercept convoys.
- n. - 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.
- n. - 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.
- v. t. - A division of a town, city, or county; a particular
district; a locality; as, the Latin quarter in Paris.
- v. t. - A small upright timber post, used in partitions; -- in
the United States more commonly called stud.
- v. t. - The fourth part of the distance from one point of the
compass to another, being the fourth part of 11¡ 15', that is, about 2¡
49'; -- called also quarter point.
- v. t. - Proper station; specific place; assigned position;
special location.
- v. t. - A station at which officers and men are posted in
battle; -- usually in the plural.
- v. t. - Place of lodging or temporary residence; shelter;
entertainment; -- usually in the plural.
- v. t. - A station or encampment occupied by troops; a place of
lodging for soldiers or officers; as, winter quarters.
- v. t. - 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.
- v. t. - Friendship; amity; concord.
- v. i. - To lodge; to have a temporary residence.
- v. i. - 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.