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 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