[a. F. quarte: see QUART sb.3] A position in fencing. = QUART sb.3 1.
a. 1700. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Quarte, Nails of the Sword-Hand quite up.
c. 1830. G. Roland, Introd. Course Fencing, 16. The parade of quarte is made by offering, with the nails turned upwards, the fort of your blade to the foible of your adversary’s.
1885. E. Castle, Sch. Fence, 133. A heavy sweep in seconde from a high quarte at arm’s length.
fig. 1872. Browning, Fifine, xvi. Words urged in vain … You waste your quarte and tierce.
