Main Entry:

¹quar·ter

Pronunciation:

\ˈkwȯ(r)-tər also ˈkȯ(r)-\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin quartarius, from quartus fourth

Date:

14th century

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 unit3: any of various units of length or area equal to one fourth of some larger unit4: 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 cents6 a: one limb of a quadruped with the adjacent parts ; especially : one fourth part of the carcass of a slaughtered animal including a leg bplural British : hindquarter 27 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 quarter9 a: an assigned station or post bplural : an assembly of a ship's company for ceremony, drill, or emergency cplural : 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 enemy11: a fourth part of the moon's period12: the side of a horse's hoof between the toe and the heel — see hoof illustration13 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 field14: the stern area of a ship's side15: one side of the upper of a shoe or boot from heel to vamp16: one of the four equal periods into which the playing time of some games is divided