[ad. F. quarter (Molière), f. quarte QUART sb.3] a. intr. To use the position ‘quart’ in fencing. b. trans. To draw back (the head and shoulders) in doing so. Hence Quarting vbl. sb.
1691. Sir W. Hope, Fencing-Master, *4. You must give it with your Nails in Quart, and Quart your head well. Ibid., 31. The Quarting of your head preserveth you from being hit in the face.
a. 1700. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Quarting upon the streight line, keeping the Head and Shoulders very much back from the Adversary’s Sword, when one thrusts with his own.
1833. New Monthly Mag., XXXVIII. 343. He quarts and tierces for twenty minutes.
