Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

quartern

noun
quar·​tern | \ ˈkwȯ(r)-tərn \

Definition of quartern

: a fourth part (as of a unit of measurement)

First Known Use of quartern

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for quartern

Middle English quarteron, from Anglo-French, quarter of a hundred, from quarter quarter

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about quartern

Statistics for quartern

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for quartern

The first known use of quartern was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Comments on quartern

What made you want to look up quartern? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

imbroglio

a complex dispute or argument

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Homophone Quiz

  • three-bears-two-of-them-look-like-theyre-whispering-to-a-third-bear-who-looks-chuffed-to-be-the-center-of-attention
  • In order to judge how people felt, the senator's office hired a firm to take a ______.
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games