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noun

any of the four equal parts of something; fourth
one fourth of a hundredweight: 25 pounds in the U.S., 28 pounds in Great Britain
one fourth of a yard, or 9 inches; span
one fourth of a pound
☆ one fourth of a mile; two furlongs
1. one fourth of a year; three months
2. any of the three terms, of about eleven weeks each, which make up an academic year in some schools and colleges
1. one fourth of an hour; 15 minutes
2. the moment marking the end of each fourth of an hour
☆
1. one fourth of a dollar; 25 cents
2. a U.S. or Canadian coin equal to 25 cents: the U.S. quarter is made of copper and nickel
any leg of a four-legged animal, with the adjoining parts
1. any of four main points of the compass
2. any of the four divisions of the horizon as marked off by these points
3. any of the regions of the earth thought of as under these divisions
a particular district or section in a city: the Latin quarter
lodgings; place of abode
mercy granted to a surrendering foe
a particular person, group, place, etc., esp. one serving as a source or origin: news from the highest quarters
the part forming the side of a shoe from the heel to the vamp
Astron.
1. the period of time in which the moon makes about one fourth of its revolution around the earth
2. the first or last quarter phase of the moon, when it appears half lighted
☆ Football, Basketball, etc. any of the four periods into which a game is divided
Heraldry
1. any of the four equal divisions of a shield
2. the bearing occupying such a division
Naut.
1. the after part of a ship's side, between the beam and the stern
2. a direction at a 45° angle aft of either beam
3. an assembly of crew members as for muster or at assigned stations for a specific drill or emergency

transitive verb

to divide into four equal parts
loosely to separate into any number of parts
to defile (the body of a person put to death) by dismembering it or cutting it into quarters
to provide lodgings for; specif., to assign (soldiers) to lodgings
to cover (an area) by passing back and forth over it in many directions like hounds in hunting; search intensively
Heraldry
1. to place or bear (different coats of arms) on the quarters of a shield
2. to add (a coat of arms) to a shield
Mech. to set (a crank, etc.) at right angles to the connecting part

intransitive verb

to be lodged or stationed (at or with)
to range over an area like hounds in hunting
to swim, sail, etc. at an angle because of the wind, current, etc.

adjective

constituting a quarter; equal to a quarter

See quarter in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(kwôrˈtər)

noun

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
a. One fourth of a year; three months: Sales were up in the second quarter.
b. An academic term lasting approximately three months.
Astronomy
a. One fourth of the period of the moon's revolution around Earth.
b. One of the four phases of the moon: the first quarter; the third quarter.
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.
a. One fourth of a hundredweight; 25 pounds.
b. One fourth of a British hundredweight; 28 pounds.
a. One of the four major divisions of the compass.
b. One fourth of the distance between any two of the 32 divisions of the compass.
c. One of the four major divisions of the horizon as determined by the four major points of the compass.
d. A region or an area of the earth thought of as falling into such a specific division of the compass.
e. Nautical The general direction on either side of a ship located 45° off the stern.
Nautical
a. The upper portion of the after side of a ship, usually between the aftermost mast and the stern.
b. 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.
21. often Quarter A specific district or section, as of a city: the French Quarter.
22. An unspecified person or group. Often used in the plural: information from the highest quarters.
23. Mercy or clemency, especially when displayed or given to an enemy.

adjective

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

verb quar·tered, quar·ter·ing, quar·ters

verb, transitive

a. To divide into four equal or equivalent parts.
b. To quartersaw.
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.
a. To mark or place (holes, for example) a fourth of a circle apart.
b. 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.

verb, intransitive

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

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.

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