quartering

1 of 2

noun

quar·​ter·​ing ˈkwȯ(r)-tə-riŋ 

1

a

: the division of an escutcheon containing different coats of arms into four or more compartments

b

: a quarter of an escutcheon or the coat of arms on it

2

: a line of usually noble or distinguished ancestry

quartering

2 of 2

adjective

1

: coming from a point well abaft the beam of a ship but not directly astern

quartering waves

2

: lying at right angles

Examples of quartering in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

With a bow or crossbow, wait for a good quartering away shot, and drive the arrow up into the vitals. —The Editors, Field & Stream, 9 Jan. 2023

Hunsucker always places the decoy facing and quartering to him. —Joe Genzel, Outdoor Life, 10 Dec. 2019

The drawing and quartering Will witnesses during a public execution in an early scene is only the first sign that the stakes here may be higher than even this playwright’s career. 9 p.m. —Ellen Gray, Philly.com, 7 July 2017

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

quartering

adjective

quar·​ter·​ing

ˈkwȯ(r)t-ə-riŋ

: coming from a direction behind and to the side (as of a ship)

a quartering wind