Naut. † a. Originally, a smaller deck situated above the HALF-DECK (q.v.), covering about a quarter of the vessel. Obs. b. In later use: That part of the upper or spar-deck that extends between the stern and after-mast, and is used as a promenade by the superior officers or cabin-passengers.
1627. Capt. Smith, Seaman’s Gram., ii. 6. The halfe Decke is from the maine mast to the steareage, and the quarter Decke from that to the Masters Cabin called the round house, wch is the vtmost of all.
1667. Denham, Direct. Paint., I. 55. Each Captain from his Quarter-deck commands.
1748. Anson’s Voy., I. iii. 29. Many of the principal Officers were on the quarter-deck, indulging in the freshness of the night air.
1840. R. H. Dana, Bef. Mast, xxiii. 67. The chief mate walking the quarter-deck, and keeping a general supervision.
1884. Pae, Eustace, 67. I’d have you to remember that you are not on the quarter-deck just now.
fig. 1853. Lytton, My Novel, I. x. Too old a sailor to think that the State … should admit Jack upon quarterdeck.
attrib. 1712. E. Cooke, Voy. S. Sea, 167. Each Ship is to answer the other with a Quarter-Deck Gun.
1797. Nelson, in A. Duncan, Life (1806), 42. A Spanish officer looked over the quarter-deck rail.
1828. P. Cunningham, N. S. Wales (ed. 3), II. 299, note. When surgeon of a brig of war, my quarter-deck promenade was confined to eight paces.
1840. R. H. Dana, Bef. Mast, ix. 19. The quarter-deck dignity and eloquence of the captain.
Hence Quarter-decker, -deckish (see quots.).
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Quarter-Deckers, those officers more remarkable for etiquette than for a knowledge of seamanship. Ibid., Quarter-Deckish, punctilious, severe.
1889. Conan Doyle, Micah Clarke, 244. It’s your blue-coated, gold-braided, swivel-eyed, quarter-deckers that talk of canes.
